A criminal investigation has been launched into hotels in New York City that have been used to house illegal immigrants. The Justice Department has issued subpoenas seeking financial documents and records on those staying at the Roosevelt Hotel and Stewart Hotel.
The Roosevelt Hotel has served as a processing center for migrants, reportedly handling over 170,000 border crossers since 2023. The Stewart Hotel has been operating solely as a shelter. The Hotel Chandler, a separate location being used as a homeless shelter, was also subpoenaed as part of the probe.
JUST IN: The DOJ is investigating the New York City hotels which were turned into migrant shelters. Billions of your tax dollars went towards housing criminal illegal aliens in luxury hotels pic.twitter.com/utl8ILdjWb
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 13, 2025
Federal prosecutors are investigating potential immigration law violations and are demanding detailed records, including the names and birthdates of individuals who have stayed at the hotels. They are also requesting contracts and financial arrangements related to the city’s shelter program.
New York City has been struggling to manage the influx of illegal immigrants, with over 232,000 arrivals since 2022. The number of migrants housed in city shelters peaked at 69,000 before dropping to approximately 45,000. The cost of these housing efforts has reached billions of dollars, putting pressure on city finances.
The Roosevelt Hotel has been at the center of financial scrutiny due to its ownership and leasing arrangement. The hotel, owned by Pakistan’s government, was reportedly leased for $220 million as part of a deal connected to an International Monetary Fund bailout that helped Pakistan avoid defaulting on its international debt.
Mayor Eric Adams has previously announced plans to close the Roosevelt Hotel and other shelters as the city adjusts its migrant housing program. Officials say 53 shelters are set to close by June, with services moved to other locations.
The federal probe comes after it was revealed that FEMA allocated $59 million for migrant housing in New York City hotels — contradicting prior assurances from the Biden administration that such funding was not being used for illegal immigrants.
