City Mayor Eric Adams marked a momentous occasion as the expansive immigrant shelter situated in the Roosevelt Hotel ceased operations recently. The landmark hotel had shut down amid the global pandemic in 2020, only to reemerge as a pivotal sanctuary for incoming migrants in May 2023 at the height of the immigration crisis. However, a significant drop in the numbers of immigrants arriving in the city, attributable to increased deportation and a sharp decline in border crossings, facilitated the closure of the shelter. Adams recognized this event as one of the pivotal milestones in the city’s history.
‘This develops into an unmissable part of our narrative’, Mayor Adam stated. He further elaborated, saying ‘Our system saw the arrival and departure of over 237,000 immigrants and individuals seeking asylum. The Roosevelt Hotel has come to symbolize this significant movement.’ Despite this acknowledgment, the hotel and its operations have come under frequent scrutiny and critique by the Trump administration in the past few months.
The administration accused the hotel of being a crime-riddled locale, and further alleged that it functioned as a hub for the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. However, these claims were not based on any substantiated evidence and were refuted by the Adams administration. Legal documents revealed the administration’s denial and rejection of these unfounded accusations about the landmark hotel.
The city’s management took proactive steps to aid thousands of families through this trying period, and has expressed their sense of accomplishment for the role they played in this demanding task. Their efforts were aimed at providing support and a stable environment for these families. Regardless of external scrutiny and criticism, they continued their task with the assurance of their good intentions and efforts.
Anne Williams-Isom, a former member of the Adams administration, relinquished her position due to disagreements regarding Mayor Adams’ perceived alliance with Trump on immigration-related matters. Yet even she admitted to taking a sense of satisfaction in the tireless work they had put in for this cause. Pride in the collective efforts of their team was evident, irrespective of any policy disagreements or political divergence.