Addressing a joint session of Congress on March 4, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump made several claims about federal spending that he described as wasteful — including the assertion that his administration had identified $59 million supposedly spent on New York City hotel rooms to house immigrants living in the country illegally.

A federal judge on Wednesday rejected New York City’s request to temporarily prevent the Trump administration from reclaiming over $80 million in federal reimbursement funds originally allocated for migrant shelter and services.

A federal judge blocked New York City’s request for President Donald Trump’s administration to return $80 million in FEMA funds allocated for migrant shelters and services.

DHS clawed back the money last month after firing four FEMA staffers for sending $59 million to New York City hotels housing illegal immigrants.