Fact Check: "The Roosevelt Hotel housed over 173,000 migrants since its opening as an intake center."
What We Know
The Roosevelt Hotel in New York City was repurposed as an intake center for migrants in May 2023, amid a significant influx of asylum seekers. According to the Mayor's Office, the facility has processed over 173,000 registrations for migrants by February 2025. This figure is part of a broader context where more than 232,000 migrants have sought shelter and services from the city since the spring of 2022. The hotel served as a centralized location for various services, including legal assistance and medical care, aimed at helping migrants transition towards self-sufficiency (AP News).
Analysis
The claim that the Roosevelt Hotel housed over 173,000 migrants is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The Mayor's announcement explicitly states that more than 173,000 registrations were completed at the hotel, confirming the accuracy of the claim. Additionally, the New York Times and Wall Street Journal corroborate this information, noting that the hotel was a critical intake center during a peak period of migration.
In evaluating the reliability of these sources, the Mayor's Office is a primary source of information, providing official data directly related to the city's operations. The Associated Press and other news outlets serve as secondary sources, reporting on the Mayor's statements and providing context to the situation. These sources are generally considered reliable, as they adhere to journalistic standards for fact-checking and reporting.
However, it is essential to acknowledge potential biases. The Mayor's Office may present information in a way that highlights successes in managing the migrant crisis, which could lead to a more favorable portrayal of the administration's actions. Nevertheless, the consistency across multiple reputable news outlets lends credibility to the claim.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "The Roosevelt Hotel housed over 173,000 migrants since its opening as an intake center" is accurate. The data provided by the Mayor's Office, along with corroborating reports from reputable news sources, confirms that the hotel has indeed processed over 173,000 registrations for migrants, making the statement factually correct.
Sources
- Mayor Adams Announces Forthcoming Closure of Roosevelt Hotel Asylum Seeker Humanitarian Relief and Arrival Center
- New York City closes arrival center for migrants in once grand hotel
- Roosevelt Hotel (Manhattan) - Wikipedia
- Roosevelt Hotel Shelter, Symbol of NYC Migrant Crisis, Closes
- NYC's historic Roosevelt Hotel becomes arrival center for asylum seekers
- NYC Plans to Close One of Its Biggest Migrant Shelters
- NYC to Shut Migrant Center in Former Hotel as Crisis Eases
