New York City taxpayers are reportedly set to pay more than $1 billion to house illegal immigrants and asylum seekers who cross the southern border into the United States.
Of the 193 shelters being used to house migrants, about 153 are hotels, motels and inns, according to the New York Post. These facilities reportedly house about 65,300 people.
According to the media, the average price per room is $156 per night, with a maximum of $300.
“Of the 193 migrant shelters housing 65,300 people, 153, or about 80 percent, are hotels.”
“New York City is spending an average of $160 per hotel room to house immigrants.”The scale of unnegotiated fees and scams here is staggering.https://t.co/NFzPPo0cSE pic.twitter.com/sdyew1OiUo
— Peter Moskos (@PeterMoskos) July 7, 2024
Of the total $4.88 billion spent by New York City residents on immigrants, about $1.98 billion went to housing, according to the media. Several hotels have reportedly signed big contracts with the city, including the Row NYC Hotel, which is earning $5.13 million per month, and the Crowne Plaza JFK in Queens, which has a $2 million per month contract to house 335 immigrant rooms. (Related article: Hotel in emerging district quietly converted into migrant shelter: Report)
Some people are not happy with how their tax money is being spent.
“Our taxes are going to pay for the immigrants, so where are we going to get our revenue from?” a local business owner questioned, according to the New York Post.
City Council Member Joan Arriola also criticized taxpayer money being used for immigrant housing.
“These places were supposed to be a boost to the city's economy, but instead they have become a net loss and a huge expense,” she said.
