New York City rents Roosevelt Hotel for $220 million to shelter migrants

New York City is paying $220 million to rent the Roosevelt Hotel, owned by Pakistan International Airlines, to house migrants. This three-year agreement aims to provide revenue for Pakistan amid its economic challenges. Critics, including Vivek Ramaswamy, have raised concerns about taxpayer money being used for a foreign-owned hotel. The deal has become a focal point in discussions about government spending and efficiency. The Roosevelt Hotel, which reopened in May 2023 as a shelter for asylum seekers, is part of NYC's strategy to accommodate a surge in migrants. The city has also rented over 100 other hotels for this purpose.