Residents of North Carolina are expressing their frustration with FEMA's allocation of nearly $60 million to support illegal immigrants in New York City, while victims of Hurricane Helene continue to struggle without adequate assistance. This follows a report from DOGE lead Elon Musk alleging FEMA's spending on migrant housing despite reportedly facing resource constraints for disaster relief.

Matt Van Swol, a resident of Weaverville, North Carolina, voiced his anger on "Fox & Friends," highlighting the disparity between the aid provided to non-citizens and the lack of support for hurricane victims living in tents. He criticized FEMA for leaving those affected by the hurricane "high and dry" while substantial funds were directed towards migrants.

The Department of Homeland Security has stated that four employees have been terminated for bypassing proper procedures and authorizing the hotel payments for migrants in New York City. This action follows Musk's post on X regarding the $59 million expenditure.

A spokesperson for New York City Hall confirmed the receipt of funds from the Biden administration designated for housing and supporting illegal immigrants. Of the total amount, $19 million was specifically for hotel costs, with the remaining funds allocated to other services. It was clarified that these funds were not part of a disaster relief grant.

FEMA faced criticism last year for reported funding shortages when Hurricane Helene devastated the Appalachian region. Many displaced residents are still struggling to recover. New York City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino criticized the allocation of funds as a misappropriation, emphasizing that the needs of North Carolina residents were overlooked.

Erin Derham, another Weaverville resident, shared her experience on "America's Newsroom," describing the ongoing struggles faced by her community, including damaged roads and bridges, and the lack of sufficient aid from FEMA. She stressed the need for federal support to address the extensive damage.