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Monday, Jul. 22, 2024

Are undocumented immigrants housed at the most expensive hotels in New York City?


no

While a few upscale hotels such as the Roosevelt have been converted to shelter migrants, the majority are housed in more affordable establishments, and none in five-star hotels.

Eric Trump said in a speech at the Republican National Convention, "illegal immigrants are housed in the most expensive hotels in New York," but Sean Hennessey, a hotel industry advisor, told the New York Times it is primarily two-star hotels that are housing undocumented migrants.

New York City entered into a contract of up to $980 million with a hotel trade group to pay hotels that decide to shelter migrants under its "Sanctuary Hotel Program."

Most of those hotels were deep in debt, facing foreclosure or had received poor reviews from guests. About half were brand names including Courtyard, Holiday Inn Express, SpringHill Suites and Super 8.

The city contract requires hotels hosting migrants to pick up trash, housekeep every other day and provide fresh towels.

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