The federal government has launched a criminal inquiry into the migrant shelters operating in New York City, demanding hotel staff to provide the names of individuals housed at these facilities, according to The NY Post.
At least two hotels in the city, including the Roosevelt Hotel, which serves as a migrant welcome center, and the Hotel Chandler in Midtown, have received subpoenas from the Southern District of New York, sources reported.
One subpoena served to the Hotel Chandler, which was reviewed by The Post, seeks testimony and evidence in relation to an unspecified “alleged violation” of immigration law.
The subpoena also requests that the hotel provide a list of the “full names of aliens” currently staying there.
Additionally, the federal request seeks the names of individuals and organizations involved in the financing and management of the immigrant or migrant shelter services at the hotel, along with complete details of the contracts and funding involved.
While the Hotel Chandler has been utilized as a homeless shelter, it is not currently housing migrants, according to a source.
However, the similarly named Candler Building in Times Square has been used as a migrant shelter, the source clarified. It is unclear whether the Candler Building has received a subpoena or if there was an error in the issuance of one to the Hotel Chandler.
Sources confirmed that no subpoenas have been served to city officials or New York City government entities.
“We cannot comment on any type of federal investigation,” said Liz Garcia, a spokeswoman for City Hall.
The full extent of the investigation is still not clear.
The subpoenas come at a tense moment for both New York City and Mayor Eric Adams, as the city continues to grapple with the migrant crisis, which is showing signs of waning.
Since the crisis began nearly three years ago, more than 230,000 asylum seekers have arrived in the city, a surge that has led Mayor Adams and city officials to spend around $7 billion on housing, food, and other services for the migrants.
Recently, Adams announced that the Roosevelt Hotel intake center, which once processed 4,000 migrants weekly, will close in the coming months as the number of arrivals slows dramatically.
{Matzav.com}The post Feds Open Criminal Probe Into NYC Migrant Shelters — Demanding Staff Turns Over Names of ‘Aliens’ Housed At Hotels first appeared on Matzav.com.