The Department of Justice is circling New York City’s migrant shelter program, issuing subpoenas to at least two Manhattan hotels. Federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York are digging into who’s staying in these hotels and where the money is coming from. The details are scarce, but the subpoenas reference potential violations of federal immigration law. So far, no one is talking, and DOJ officials aren’t offering any explanations.
New York has been using Midtown hotels as makeshift migrant shelters since 2022. The arrangement has been controversial from the start, drawing backlash from local residents and national critics. In February, the city shut down its massive migrant intake center at the Roosevelt Hotel, a move that came just as federal authorities quietly dropped a corruption probe into Mayor Eric Adams’ administration. The timing raised eyebrows, but now, with the DOJ issuing subpoenas, it looks like federal scrutiny isn’t over.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts is dealing with its own migrant crisis, but at a much lower price. The state’s Right to Shelter law guarantees housing for families, which has driven up costs as shelters reach full capacity. Records show Massachusetts has 17 contracts totaling over $116 million for migrant housing this fiscal year alone. But here’s the kicker—migrants housed at Logan Airport are costing the state just $10 per person per day. Compare that to hotels, where the bill jumps to $64 per day, thanks to state-funded meals and services. Massachusetts taxpayers are still paying millions, but at least the airport deal looks like a bargain compared to New York’s mess.
The state’s emergency shelter system is now maxed out, supporting over 7,500 families across 100 communities. Officials are scrambling for more money, planning to pull $700 million from an escrow account just to keep the system running. The financial strain is clear, and without additional funding, some of these programs could be in serious trouble.
With the DOJ digging into New York’s migrant shelter finances and Massachusetts quietly housing migrants at rock-bottom prices, the contrast is striking. One state is spending lavishly without scrutiny, the other is stretching every dollar. But in the end, both are struggling to handle a crisis that shows no signs of slowing down.
Sources:
https://www.fox5ny.com/news/dept-justice-subpoenas-manhattan-hotel-migrant-shelter-investigation
https://www.yahoo.com/news/dept-justice-subpoenas-manhattan-hotels-012041521.html
https://www.yahoo.com/news/unprecedented-docs-expose-impact-migrant-223851935.html
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/doj-investigation-subpoenas-new-york-city/6184851/
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/massachusetts-migrant-crisis-money-spent-iteam-contracts/