NEW YORK CITY — Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced that she has rescinded federal funds allocated to New York City migrant hotels, citing security concerns and alleged ties to criminal organizations.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Noem stated, “I have clawed back the full payment that FEMA deep state activists unilaterally gave to NYC migrant hotels.” She specifically referenced the Roosevelt Hotel, which she claimed served as a base for the Tren de Aragua gang and housed the suspect accused of killing Laken Riley.
The Roosevelt Hotel has been a focal point in debates over the city’s handling of asylum seekers, with officials defending its use as emergency housing amid a migrant surge.
Noem did not say if the funds withdrawn exceeded the reported $59 million payment discovered by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency.
“Mark my words: there will not be a single penny spent that goes against the interest and safety of the American people,” Noem added in her statement. The announcement aligns with broader Republican criticism of federal funding for migrant assistance in major cities.