It was recently revealed that FEMA, with the help of a handful of top officials in the organization, sent a staggering $59 million to New York City to house illegal immigrants in luxury hotels.

That revelation resulted in the firing of the FEMA officials involved, and according to Fox News, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced this week that she was able to get the $59 million back. 

The bombshell revelation came "after the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) said it had uncovered $59 million in payments for luxury hotels for migrants who had flooded into the sanctuary city."

DOGE's announcement quickly led to the firings of the officials involved, which ultimately led to the money being returned and saving taxpayers tens of millions in additional funds.

What happened?

A DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "Secretary Noem has clawed back the full payment that FEMA deep state activists unilaterally gave to NYC migrant hotels."

🚨BREAKING: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announces the successful recovery of the full $59 million that FEMA corruptly spend to house criminal aliens in luxury New York hotels. pic.twitter.com/9U8CSxtqfv

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 12, 2025

The DHS spokesperson added, "There will not be a single penny spent that goes against the interest and safety of the American people."

Fox News noted:

DHS announced Tuesday that it had fired four employees "for circumventing leadership" and making the payments unilaterally. The firings included FEMA’s CFO, two analysts and a grant specialist.

A New York City official confirmed that funds had been received totaling that amount, with $19 million going for hotel stays, and the rest being used for food and other necessities.

Fox noted, "According to NY City Hall, the funds were not part of a disaster relief grant. "

Social media reacts

Users across social media cheered Noem and DOGE for getting the eye-popping sum back.

"BRAVO DOGE! Now go forward on clawing back ALL funds that have been illegally/illegitimately/inappropriately dispersed. WE MUST ACHIEVE ZERO DEBT!" one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "Great work. All this wasteful spending needs to be clawed back before they can keep 'throwing gold bars off the ship.'"

Between Elon Musk's DOGE unit and President Donald Trump's team of conservative "avengers" in his Cabinet, American taxpayers are already saving billions. Amazing.