Roosevelt Hotel NYC Migrant Shelter in Midtown Officially Shuts Down

Key Takeaways

• Mayor Eric Adams announced Roosevelt Hotel closure on June 23, 2025, shifting NYC migrant shelter policy.
• Over 173,000 migrants registered at Roosevelt since May 2023; shelter system downsizing to save $5.2 billion.
• FEMA seized $80 million funds citing criminal concerns; city sues federal government to recover money.

New York City’s Roosevelt Hotel, which has served as the main migrant shelter and arrival center in Midtown Manhattan since May 2023, is closing its doors. This decision, announced by Mayor Eric Adams on June 23, 2025, signals a major shift in how the city responds to the ongoing asylum seeker crisis. The closure of the Roosevelt Hotel is not just about one building—it reflects changes in city policy, federal funding disputes, and the lives of thousands of migrants and asylum seekers who have relied on this shelter for support.

What’s Happening: The Closure of the Roosevelt Hotel Migrant Shelter

Who: The Roosevelt Hotel, owned by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), has been the largest and most visible migrant intake center in New York City.
What: The city is shutting down this main arrival center and shelter for migrants and asylum seekers.
When: The closure was announced on June 23, 2025, but the exact date the doors will close has not yet been made public.
Where: Midtown Manhattan, New York City.
Why: The city is downsizing its emergency shelter system as the number of new arrivals drops and to save money.
How: Services that were once centralized at the Roosevelt Hotel will be moved to other shelters and intake centers across the city.

Why the Roosevelt Hotel Closure Matters

The Roosevelt Hotel has played a central role in New York City’s response to the surge of migrants and asylum seekers since 2022. Over 173,000 people registered for shelter and services at the hotel between May 2023 and February 2025. The closure marks a turning point in the city’s approach, as officials move to decentralize services and reduce the number of emergency shelters.

Mayor Eric Adams described the closure as a “milestone,” saying it shows the city’s policies are working and that the city has saved more than $5.2 billion over three years by scaling back its shelter system. However, the decision has sparked debate among advocates, city officials, and the federal government about the best way to support migrants and fulfill the city’s legal obligations.

The Numbers: Migrants, Shelters, and Services

• More than 232,000 migrants have entered New York City’s care since spring 2022.
• 173,000+ registrations were completed at the Roosevelt Hotel from May 2023 to February 2025.
• Current shelter census: Fewer than 45,000 migrants remain in the city’s shelter system as of January 2025, down from a peak of over 65,000.
• Weekly new arrivals: Dropped sharply from about 4,000 per week in 2023 to just 350 per week in early 2025.
• Hotel voucher program: Served 7,875 migrant families since July 2023, but is ending as part of the scale-back. Only 165 households (about 496 people) remained in the program as of February 2025.
• Shelters closing: The Roosevelt Hotel is one of 53 emergency migrant shelters the city will have closed between June 2024 and June 2025.

Why Is the Roosevelt Hotel Closing?

Several factors led to the decision to close the Roosevelt Hotel as a migrant shelter:

• Declining arrivals: The number of new migrants coming to New York City has dropped sharply, reducing the need for such a large intake center.
• Cost savings: The city projects billions in savings by downsizing the shelter system, which has been expensive to operate.
• Federal funding dispute: The federal government seized $80 million in FEMA funds meant for migrant housing, citing concerns about criminal activity at the Roosevelt Hotel. The city is now suing to recover these funds, arguing that the concerns are not justified.
• Policy shift: The Adams administration is moving away from large, centralized shelters and instead integrating migrant services into the broader shelter system.

What Happens to Migrants Now?

With the closure of the Roosevelt Hotel, migrants and asylum seekers will need to access services at other locations. Here’s how the process will work:

Step-by-Step Process for Migrants

1. Arrival: Previously, new arrivals would go to the Roosevelt Hotel for shelter and support. Now, they must go to other designated intake centers.
2. Registration: Migrants will register for shelter, legal help, and medical services at these new locations.
3. Placement: After registration, they will be placed in available shelters or hotels across the city.
4. Ongoing support: All supportive services, including legal and medical help, will continue at these other sites.

For official information on shelter access and referral, migrants can visit the NYC Department of Social Services.

Stakeholder Perspectives

Mayor Eric Adams and City Officials

Mayor Eric Adams has framed the closure as a positive step, saying it proves the city’s approach is working. He points to the sharp drop in new arrivals and the billions saved as evidence. City officials also say that 80% of migrants have taken “next steps” toward self-sufficiency, such as finding work or moving in with family.

Legal Aid Society and Advocates

The Legal Aid Society and other advocates are worried about the city’s ability to meet its legal obligation to provide safe shelter for everyone who needs it. They warn that closing large, centralized facilities like the Roosevelt Hotel could make it harder for new arrivals to find help and could put vulnerable people at risk.

Federal Government

The federal government, through FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security, raised concerns about criminal activity at the Roosevelt Hotel, which led to the seizure of $80 million in federal funds. The city strongly disputes these claims and has filed a lawsuit to recover the money.

Pakistani International Airlines (PIA)

The Roosevelt Hotel is owned by PIA, and the $220 million lease with New York City was a major source of income for the struggling airline. The sudden end of the lease is a financial blow to both PIA and Pakistan 🇵🇰, raising questions about the use of taxpayer funds for foreign-owned properties.

Community Leaders and Residents

Some local officials and residents have welcomed the closures, saying they improve quality of life and reduce the burden on city resources. Others worry about the impact on migrants and the city’s reputation as a place of refuge.

The Bigger Picture: How Did We Get Here?

The Roosevelt Hotel’s Role

When the migrant crisis hit New York City in 2022, the city opened over 140 emergency shelters and eight large-scale humanitarian relief centers to meet the demand. The Roosevelt Hotel, which opened as a migrant intake and shelter center in May 2023, quickly became the largest and most visible site for new arrivals. At its peak, the hotel handled up to 4,000 registrations per week.

Legal Mandate

New York City is legally required to provide shelter to anyone in need. This “right to shelter” policy has shaped the city’s response to the migrant influx, forcing officials to find creative solutions as the number of arrivals soared.

Shelter System Expansion and Downsizing

The city’s shelter system grew rapidly to meet the crisis, but as arrivals have dropped, the Adams administration has begun to scale back. By June 2025, more than 20% of the emergency sites opened during the crisis will have closed, including the Roosevelt Hotel, Floyd Bennett Field, and Randall’s Island.

What’s Next for Migrants and the City?

Further Shelter Closures

The closure of the Roosevelt Hotel is just one part of a larger plan. By June 2025, the city will have closed 53 emergency migrant shelters. This means intake and support services will be spread out across the city, rather than concentrated in a few large sites.

Service Integration

After the Roosevelt Hotel closes, all intake and supportive services—such as legal help, medical care, and family reunification—will be provided at other locations within the city’s shelter system. This is meant to make the system more flexible and cost-effective, but some worry it could make it harder for migrants to find the help they need.

Legal and Financial Uncertainty

The city’s lawsuit against the federal government over the seized FEMA funds is ongoing. There are also questions about who will pay for repairs to the Roosevelt Hotel, which may have suffered damage during its time as a shelter.

Federal Investigations

The Department of Justice has subpoenaed hotels for information on asylum seekers and funding, showing that federal scrutiny of the city’s shelter operations is not over.

Implications for Migrants, the City, and Beyond

For Migrants and Asylum Seekers

• Access to shelter and services: Migrants will need to find new intake centers and may face longer travel times or confusion about where to go.
• Legal and medical help: These services will still be available, but may be harder to access as they are spread out across more locations.
• Uncertainty: Many migrants may feel anxious about the changes and worry about losing support.

For the City

• Cost savings: The city expects to save billions by closing expensive emergency shelters.
• Legal risks: The city must still meet its legal obligation to provide shelter, and could face lawsuits if it fails to do so.
• Reputation: How the city handles the transition could affect its reputation as a welcoming place for immigrants.

For Pakistan and PIA

• Financial loss: The end of the $220 million lease is a major blow to PIA and Pakistan 🇵🇰, which relied on the income from the Roosevelt Hotel.
• International questions: The situation raises broader questions about the use of public funds for foreign-owned properties.

For the Federal Government

• Ongoing scrutiny: The federal government continues to investigate how the city has used federal funds and managed its shelter system.
• Policy debates: The dispute over FEMA funds highlights ongoing tensions between local and federal officials over how to handle the migrant crisis.

Practical Guidance for Migrants and Service Providers

• Check official sources: For up-to-date information on shelter access and referrals, visit the NYC Department of Social Services.
• Legal help: The Legal Aid Society offers free legal assistance to migrants and asylum seekers. Visit legalaidnyc.org for more information.
• Stay informed: The Mayor’s Office provides official statements and updates at nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor.

Summary Table: Key Facts

Looking Ahead: The Future of Migrant Services in New York City

The closure of the Roosevelt Hotel marks a new chapter in New York City’s response to the migrant crisis. While city officials highlight the benefits of decentralizing services and saving money, advocates warn that the changes could make life harder for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents. The ongoing legal and financial disputes, as well as federal investigations, mean that the story is far from over.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the city’s approach to managing the migrant influx continues to evolve, with both successes and challenges along the way. For migrants, service providers, and policymakers, staying informed and adaptable will be key as the city moves forward.

For more details on the city’s shelter policies and updates, visit the NYC Department of Social Services.

Takeaway: The Roosevelt Hotel’s closure is a sign of changing times in New York City’s migrant response. While the city is moving toward a more decentralized and cost-effective system, the real impact will be felt by the migrants and asylum seekers who must now find help in new places. Staying connected to official resources and support networks will be more important than ever.

Learn Today

Roosevelt Hotel → A major migrant shelter and intake center in NYC since May 2023, closing in 2025.
FEMA → Federal Emergency Management Agency that provided funds for migrant housing but seized $80 million.
Migrant Shelter → Temporary housing providing refuge and services to migrants and asylum seekers in crisis times.
Asylum Seeker → A person seeking protection in another country due to persecution or danger in their homeland.
Intake Center → A facility where migrants register and receive shelter, legal, and medical services upon arrival.

This Article in a Nutshell

New York City will close the Roosevelt Hotel migrant shelter as arrivals decline. Services shift to other locations, saving billions. The move sparks debate about migrants’ support and legal obligations amid federal funding disputes and ongoing city efforts to restructure emergency housing systems.
— By VisaVerge.com