DHS fires 4 FEMA officers over funds to NYC to deal with migrants – Boston Information, Climate, Sports activities
(CNN) — The Division of Homeland Safety introduced Tuesday that it fired 4 Federal Emergency Administration Company officers over funds supplied to New York Metropolis to deal with migrants, arguing with out proof that the officers circumvented management.
The firings come after Elon Musk, who’s working President Donald Trump’s Division of Authorities Effectivity and its efforts to dismantle some federal companies, accused FEMA on X early Monday of violating the regulation by sending $59 million to New York final week and mentioned his DOGE group will demand the cash again. The tech billionaire instructed earlier this week that the company could also be considered one of his subsequent targets, writing on X, “FEMA is damaged.”
The funds seem to stem from an present program that was the goal of Republican assaults in the course of the 2024 presidential marketing campaign. The Shelter and Companies Program is run by FEMA, in partnership with US Customs and Border Safety, to help cities sheltering migrants. It’s a separate pot of cash unrelated to catastrophe reduction. In fiscal 12 months 2024, Congress appropriated $650 million for this system, in accordance with the company.
New York Metropolis is amongst its recipients after grappling with a surge of migrants in recent times. The town obtained $119 million in federal funds, together with $81 million final week, in accordance with a Metropolis Corridor spokesperson. A few of that went to direct lodge prices. The town has $37 million left to say, the spokesperson mentioned.
“The Adams administration has not obtained any info or request asking for any a refund or about any claw again course of. The administration is in direct contact with the White Home concerning the funding and looking for extra info,” a Metropolis Corridor official informed CNN.
Former Homeland Safety officers informed CNN that usually cities establish the lodging and later submit for reimbursement.
“There’s an entire set of guardrails round it to ensure it’s administered in accordance with the regulation,” one former DHS official mentioned.
In a press release, a Homeland Safety spokesperson mentioned: “Efficient instantly, FEMA is terminating the employment of 4 people for circumventing management to unilaterally make egregious funds for luxurious NYC lodges for migrants.”
FEMA’s chief monetary officer, two program analysts and a grant specialist had been amongst those that had been fired.
CNN reached out to DHS for extra info on what the staff did that amounted to circumventing management and if the funds fell below the prevailing Shelter and Companies program.
The Homeland Safety spokesperson mentioned extra info could be supplied when obtainable.
Trump’s group has instructed removing FEMA.
When touring North Carolina flood harm final month, Trump floated eliminating FEMA, which he’s criticized as bureaucratic and gradual in its rescue responses. He instructed he could quickly abolish the company and as a substitute ship cash on to states to handle their very own catastrophe reduction efforts.
And DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who has oversight of FEMA, informed CNN on Sunday that she would assist ending “FEMA the way in which it exists at the moment” ought to the president ask her.
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