New York City refuses to ask FEMA to return $80 million in immigration funds

A federal judge blocked New York City’s request for President Donald Trump’s administration, demanding $80 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds to allocate funds for immigration shelters and services.

Judge Jennifer Rearden set out from the Manhattan bench Wednesday to refuse to issue a temporary restraining order to the City of New York to withdraw funds because the city has not proven that it would suffer irreparable injuries if it had no money.

“We are disappointed that the court has not granted the emergency relief we are seeking as the case continues and we are evaluating the next step,” a spokesperson for the New York City Department of Law told Fox News.

New York City filed a lawsuit against Trump, FEMA, Treasury and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on February 21, believing that the $80 million has been approved and paid.

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“This morning, our office learned that the federal government applied for and awarded more than $80 million in FEMA grants in the last administration, but it wasn’t paid until last week,” DN.Y. Mayor Eric Adams said in a post on X’s post the day the lawsuit was filed.

The lawsuit says the funds were revoked on February 11 after Elon Musk said the government efficiency department found that it was paying $59 million to luxury hotels in New York City to accommodate luxury hotels that accommodate illegal immigrants. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said her concerns about the Roosevelt Hotel being the “operating base for Tren de Aragua” cancelled funds.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem commented to staff at the Department of Homeland Security Headquarters in Washington, D.C. on January 28, 2025. (Manuel Balce Ceneta-Pool/Getty Images)

“​I have clawed back the full payment that FEMA deep state activists uniformly gave to NYC migrant hotels. FEMA was funding the Roosevelt Hotel that serves as a Tren de Aragua base of operations and was used to house Laken Riley’s killer. Mark my words: there will not be a single penny spend that goes against the interest and safety of the American people,” Noem said in a X post.

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New York Mayor Brad Lander is the mayoral candidate running for Adams’ seat, and the Trump administration “stole” the funds.

“Let’s be clear: Donald Trump and his losers lack Elon Musk and Christie Nome — After they stole $80 million from New York City’s bank accounts in Wednesday’s ruling, Rand said in a statement: “This action hurts taxpayers and working families and will force New York City to cut services. ”

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu testified at a supervisory and government reform hearing in Washington, D.C. on March 5, 2025. (Anadolu via Getty Image)

The ruling comes as Adams and his “sanitation city” Democratic mayor testified their response to the Capitol Hill immigration crisis on Wednesday.

“I testify here today, even in sanctuary cities, how New York City continues to reduce crime,” Adams told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

“To be clear: the classification of refuge cities does not mean that our cities will always be a safe haven for violent criminals. It also does not give New York City the power to violate federal immigration laws. Instead, New York City will always comply with city, state and federal laws, and today, New York City will always comply with it.”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the Center addressed at a press conference outside the Gracey Building in New York on Thursday, September 26, 2024. (Rashid Umar Abbasi for Fox News Number)

Adams vowed to protect law-abiding New York City residents, regardless of immigration status, and also directed NYPD officials to comply with the Department of Homeland Security and the Ice. The mayor’s comments reflect his ongoing efforts to balance the protection of New Yorkers and coordinate with the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.

As New York City struggles to keep up with the buses of immigrants entering the city’s overwhelmed asylum system, Adams criticized former President Joe Biden for handling the immigration crisis.

Amidst the plight of the immigration crisis, Adams formed a relationship with Trump — a private meeting with the president of West Palm Beach, Florida, and then met with border Tsar Tom Homan to discuss the immigration crisis in New York City.

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Homan said he would keep his promise and tell the “Fox and Friends” that “if he doesn’t go, I’ll go back to New York City and we won’t sit on the couch. I’ll be in his office, lifting his butt and saying, ‘Is our agreement really we come to?”’

Adams’ office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News numbers.

Fox News’ Michael Dorgan and Grace Taggart contributed to the report.