The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is taking action against Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees who authorized $59 million in payments for migrant housing in New York City, despite President Donald Trump’s executive order suspending such spending. DHS confirmed that those responsible will be fired and held accountable.

Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), exposed the payments on X, revealing that FEMA funds were used for luxury hotels, including the Roosevelt Hotel, which is owned by the Pakistani government through Pakistan International Airlines. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the firings, stating, “Individuals who circumvented leadership and unilaterally made this payment will be fired and held accountable.”

The funding comes amid concerns over FEMA’s budget priorities. Critics have accused the agency of diverting resources away from disaster relief to accommodate illegal immigrants. Last year, FEMA faced scrutiny when it reportedly struggled to provide aid to Hurricane Helene victims while continuing to fund migrant housing. House Speaker Mike Johnson clarified that emergency relief and migrant assistance are separate budgets, but emphasized that FEMA should not be involved in immigration funding.

According to New York City officials, the city received $81 million last week from the federal government for immigration-related costs, with $19 million allocated specifically for hotel expenses. The payments were made through FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program, which reimburses municipalities for costs tied to illegal immigration.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who oversees FEMA, has suggested that the agency needs major restructuring. “We must get rid of FEMA the way it exists today,” Noem said, pointing to the misallocation of funds as an example of its failures. Trump has also been critical of the agency, previously stating, “FEMA has turned out to be a disaster.”

The revelation adds to growing scrutiny over government spending on illegal immigration. New York City alone has spent over $4.8 billion on migrant services, including nearly $2 billion on housing. The Trump administration’s ongoing review of FEMA could lead to a complete overhaul of its structure, with some Republican lawmakers pushing for states to take over disaster relief funding instead.