Judicial Watch announced today that it filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for records of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) payments to New York City for migrant housing (Judicial Watch Inc. v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (No. 1:25-cv-01579)).

Judicial Watch sued after the Federal Emergency Management Agency failed to respond to its February 11, 2025, FOIA request for:

1. Records of Payments and Funding Allocations:
   1. Documents, invoices, receipts, contracts, and financial records reflecting FEMA payments to New York City or any associated entities under the Shelter and Services Program (SSP) from January 1, 2023, to present.
   2. Any records indicating whether these funds were used for “hotels” or other accommodations.
2. Internal Communications and Directives:
   1. Emails, memos, or other written communications between FEMA officials, DHS leadership, and New York City officials regarding the use of FEMA funds for migrant housing.
   2. Any internal communications discussing whether these payments complied with federal policies and regulations.
3. Policy and Procedural Guidelines:

Copies of FEMA and DHS policies governing the Shelter and Services Program, including eligibility, approval processes, and financial oversight mechanisms.

In February, Cameron Hamilton, acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, reportedly suspended payments to New York City to house migrants and said that staff who made them will be held accountable. Elon Musk wrote on X that we “just discovered that FEMA sent $59M LAST WEEK to luxury hotels in New York City to house illegal migrants.”

It was also reported that four FEMA officials who made the payments were fired. They include the agency’s chief financial officer, two program analysts and a grant specialist. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem wrote on X: “I have clawed back the full payment that FEMA deep state activists unilaterally gave to NYC migrant hotels.”

“Taxpayer money was misused to fund hotel rooms for illegal alien invaders. The Trump administration should prioritize transparency about this potentially illegal misuse of government funds,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said.

Earlier this year, Judicial Watch sued Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for records regarding his vow to resist the Trump administration’s mass deportation and other immigration law enforcement activities.

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