Context:

The Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, once a shelter for migrants, has closed as border crossings and migrant flows into New York City have significantly decreased. Opened in May 2023, it housed over 155,000 migrants from 150 countries, providing a critical base for processing and support amid the city's immigration crisis. The closure, announced by Mayor Eric Adams, came quietly despite the hotel's previous role as a focal point in the national immigration debate, drawing comparisons to Ellis Island yet facing criticism from former President Trump. Though the future of the hotel is uncertain, its legacy as a shelter remains a poignant chapter in New York's immigration history. The hotel workers, many of whom are immigrants or children of immigrants, played vital roles as frontline responders in this humanitarian effort, despite facing public perceptions of disorder and crime linked to the migrant presence.

Dive Deeper:

• The Roosevelt Hotel served as a migrant shelter from May 2023 until its closure in 2025, accommodating over 155,000 migrants from 150 nations. The hotel became a key processing hub for migrants, offering shelter, legal aid, and health services, including disease screening and vaccinations.

• The hotel's role in the immigration debate was contentious, drawing comparisons to Ellis Island while facing criticism from political figures like former President Trump, who labeled it a misuse of public funds and a haven for illegal activity.

• Mayor Eric Adams announced the shelter's closure as migrant numbers dwindled, a decision reflecting broader trends in decreased border crossings and reduced migrant flows into New York City. The future of the hotel remains speculative, with potential redevelopment plans in discussion.

• The Roosevelt's infrastructure faced significant wear and tear due to its use as a shelter, with necessary renovations anticipated if it is to operate as a hotel again. Issues included peeling wallpaper, musty carpets, and inadequate ventilation in common areas.

• Employees at the Roosevelt, many of whom were immigrants or descendants of immigrants, viewed their work as crucial in addressing the humanitarian crisis, providing essential services and support to migrants as they transitioned into life in the U.S.

• Public perception of the migrant presence at the hotel varied, with some New Yorkers expressing concerns about disorder and crime, despite police assurances that the majority of migrants were peaceful.

• The Roosevelt's closure marked the end of a significant chapter in New York's immigration narrative, with city officials expressing a desire for the hotel's use as a shelter to serve as a model for addressing future humanitarian crises.