The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into two major hotels in New York City used as shelters for illegal immigrants. The Roosevelt Hotel and the Stewart Hotel, both converted into migrant housing facilities, are now under federal scrutiny, with prosecutors issuing subpoenas related to their funding and operations.
The Roosevelt Hotel has processed more than 170,000 migrants since it became the city’s main intake center in 2023. The Stewart Hotel has served as a shelter for newly arrived migrants. A third facility, the Hotel Chandler, also received a subpoena, though it is reportedly a homeless shelter rather than a migrant center.
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
The subpoenas, issued by the Southern District of New York, cite possible violations of federal immigration law. Prosecutors are seeking records on the management and financing of the migrant shelter program, as well as information on individuals who have stayed at the locations.
New York City has spent billions housing more than 232,000 migrants since 2022, with city taxpayers covering much of the cost. At one point in 2024, as many as 69,000 migrants were in the city’s care. That number has dropped to about 45,000.
The Roosevelt Hotel has faced particular scrutiny due to its ownership and funding. Reports indicate the city agreed to pay up to $220 million to use the hotel, which is owned by the government of Pakistan. The arrangement was reportedly linked to a $1.1 billion International Monetary Fund bailout to help Pakistan avoid financial collapse.
Mayor Eric Adams has remained silent on the federal probe but has announced that the Roosevelt Hotel will soon close. His administration has confirmed plans to shut down 53 shelters by June.
The investigation follows a report by the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, which uncovered a $59 million FEMA payment for housing migrants in upscale New York City hotels. This contradicts previous statements from the Biden administration that FEMA was not funding illegal immigrant housing.
