A recent report revealed that New York City is spending $220 million to rent the Roosevelt Hotel, which is owned by the Pakistani government, to house illegal immigrants.
Ramaswamy Expresses Outrage
Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican, was quick to respond. He criticized the deal as “Nuts” and expressed his frustration on social media. “A taxpayer-funded hotel for illegal migrants is owned by the Pakistani government. This means NYC taxpayers are paying a foreign government to house illegals in our own country. This is nuts,” Ramaswamy wrote.
Ramaswamy, along with Tesla’s Elon Musk, has been assigned by President-elect Donald Trump to improve government efficiency and eliminate wasteful spending.
Details of the Agreement
The news came from author John LeFevre, who posted about it on social media. He explained that New York City pays $220 million to rent the entire Roosevelt Hotel to house illegal migrants. The hotel is owned by Pakistan International Airlines, a state-owned airline in Pakistan.
LeFevre also pointed out that the deal was part of a $1.1 billion IMF bailout for Pakistan, helping the country avoid defaulting on international debt.
Roosevelt Hotel’s History
The Roosevelt Hotel, named after President Theodore Roosevelt, had been closed since 2020. It struggled with low occupancy and required extensive renovations. Before the deal, the hotel had been shut down. Now, with over 1,200 rooms, it is being used by New York City to shelter illegal immigrants.