FEMA’s CFO and Three Others Dismissed Following $59 Million Payment for Unauthorized Immigrant Housing
The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency has revealed a nearly $60 million payment.
On February 11, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the termination of Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) Chief Financial Officer Mary Comans along with three other employees.
DHS stated that the officials were accountable for facilitating a recent $59 million payment aimed at accommodating illegal immigrants in luxury hotels in New York City.
“The firings include FEMA’s Chief Financial Officer, two program analysts, and a grant specialist.
President Donald Trump commented on Truth Social on February 11: “The Biden-Run FEMA has been a disaster. FEMA should be terminated. It has been slow and totally ineffective.”
He also asserted that disaster management should be handled by individual states.
“FEMA spent tens of millions of dollars in Democrat areas, disregarding orders, while leaving the people of North Carolina without assistance,” he stated. “An investigation into this matter is underway.”
The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) discovered the nearly $60 million payment.
“A demand for clawback will be issued today to recover those funds.”
Part of $81 million
The mayor’s office in New York City stated that it received a total of $81 million in federal payments last week for the accommodation of illegal immigrants, according to The Associated Press. This total was delivered in two installments, one being approximately $59 million.
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Liz Garcia, a spokesperson for New York City, indicated that the $81 million covers reimbursements for hotel lodging, security, food, and additional expenses incurred from November 2023 to October 2024. The city requested this funding in April 2024, which was apportioned by Congress and distributed by FEMA.
New York City maintains right-to-shelter laws obligating the provision of shelter for the homeless, with a history of accommodating them in hotels. Currently, the city is sheltering 46,000 illegal immigrants, the majority being families.
Garcia mentioned that the city has millions in pending reimbursements, and a statement from the city noted plans to address this directly with federal authorities.
Hamilton remarked that Congress should never have passed the legislation in 2023 and 2024 that compelled FEMA to undertake such actions. He announced that all payments from FEMA had been suspended as of February 9.
“This stops now,” he asserted.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, overseeing FEMA, expressed her approval of DOGE’s audits and her support for a comprehensive reform of emergency management.
“I would advocate for dismantling FEMA in its current form. It’s essential that we retain resources and funding to assist those affected by disasters,” she stated in a CNN “State of the Union” interview on February 9.
FEMA’s effectiveness in disaster response has faced criticism for nearly a year, particularly regarding its role in areas of western North Carolina and Florida devastated by Hurricane Helene.
In addition to reallocating funds away from U.S. citizens to illegal immigrants, the agency has been accused of political partiality.
“Moreover, FEMA has lost its mission focus, directing limited staff and resources to support tasks beyond its authority, spending over a billion dollars to accommodate illegal immigrants.”
Former FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced an investigation into the incident, labeling the alleged actions as “reprehensible” and “a blatant violation of FEMA’s core values and principles of assisting individuals, irrespective of political affiliation.”
Nonetheless, the dismissed supervisor, Marn’i Washington, claimed in interviews to be a “scapegoat,” asserting that similar instances occurred across regions impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
While talking to reporters in North Carolina, the president hinted at the possibility of dismantling FEMA amid the reform initiatives.
“Americans are entitled to an immediate, effective, and impartial response to and recovery from disasters,” he stated in his order.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
