New York transforms luxury hotel into a center to process migrants

After being closed for three years during the pandemic, the Roosevelt Hotel, an icon of tourism in New York, will reopen its doors. This time, its 900 rooms will be occupied by migrants, as part of a controversial plan to deal with the growing migratory flow in the city.

Last week, the mayor of New York announced the suspension of a city policy that gives everyone the right to shelter indoors. The decision was made due to the saturation of the homeless shelters, a situation that worsened after the end of the immigration restrictions known as Title 42.

Another controversial edge of the New York authorities’ strategy is the use of school gyms as short-term processing centers for migrants. Potentially, authorities have contemplated 20 public schools to add to the plan if the hotels reach their maximum saturation point. The plan has generated protests from parents and students who are concerned about the appropriation of educational space.

Since last spring, New York has processed more than 65,000 migrants and around 35,000 remain in the care of local authorities.