Sheriff Demands NYC’s $59M Migrant Funds Be Sent to Helene Survivors NOW

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Sheriff Demands NYC's $59M Migrant Funds Be Sent to Helene Survivors NOW

LOUISBURG, NC – A North Carolina sheriff is calling for $59 million in FEMA funds, recently clawed back from New York City, to be redirected to Hurricane Helene survivors in western North Carolina.

The late September hurricane caused historic flooding, resulted in over 100 deaths, and left 74,000 homes damaged.

FEMA Funds Withdrawn from New York City

  • FEMA has reclaimed over $80 million from New York City, including:
    • $59 million originally awarded for migrant housing.
    • $21.5 million from another grant.
  • The funds were initially approved under the Biden administration but were disbursed last week.

Why Is North Carolina Demanding the Funds?

  • Franklin County Sheriff Kevin White argued that the FEMA funds should be used for U.S. citizens affected by Hurricane Helene.
  • On Monday, February 10, 2025, White wrote:

    “FEMA should IMMEDIATELY direct those funds toward housing U.S. taxpayers in Western North Carolina. These folks have been in dire straits for months.”

Controversy Over Migrant Housing Funds

  • Elon Musk, an advisor to former President Donald Trump, claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that the $59 million was used to house migrants in “luxury hotels.”
  • Sheriff White echoed Musk’s claims, stating that audits uncovered FEMA funds being used for high-end accommodations for migrants.
  • New York City officials deny these claims, stating that:
    • The funds were legally awarded and used for budget hotels, not luxury accommodations.
    • Most migrant shelters house families with children.
    • The Associated Press reported that no shelter properties qualify as “luxury” hotels.

FEMA’s Response and Next Steps

  • FEMA’s acting administrator stated that the clawback was due to concerns about “illegal activities” at a hotel.
  • The agency has halted payments for migrant housing in New York City.
  • No confirmation yet on whether the funds will be redirected to Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.

The debate over FEMA funds highlights ongoing tensions between federal aid distribution and immigration policies. As North Carolina struggles to recover from Hurricane Helene, officials are demanding that clawed-back funds be redirected to U.S. disaster victims.

Whether FEMA reallocates the funds remains to be seen.

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