The historic Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattan has reopened after being closed during the pandemic to accommodate the thousands of migrants who have just arrived at Port Authority, according to the New York Post. Near the Grand Central Terminal, the storied hotel at 45 East 45th Street has been vacant for almost three years. Due to the expiration of pandemic-era regulations, the hotel will be transformed into a primary intake site for hundreds of asylum seekers who are anticipated to arrive in the upcoming weeks. Notably, the US government just repealed the contentious Title 42 immigration law, which had prevented migrants apprehended at the US-Mexico border from requesting asylum since 2020. The Trump-era policy expired on May 11 after which the city is witnessing a huge increase in the influx of migrants at the border.Â
Not just the Roosevelt but many other hotels, many of them in prominent locations, are being converted into emergency shelters
”New York City has now cared for more than 65,000 asylum seekers — already opening up over 140 emergency shelters and eight large-scale humanitarian relief centres in addition to this one to manage this national crisis. While this new arrival centre and humanitarian relief centre will create hundreds of good-paying, union jobs and provide the infrastructure to help asylum seekers reach their final destination, without federal or state assistance, we will be unable to continue treating new arrivals and those already here with the dignity and care that they deserve,” Mayor Eric Adams said, announcing the decision.
With plans to launch an additional 675 rooms later this week, the Roosevelt Hotel is already opening 175 rooms for families. At the centre, migrants will have access to legal, medical, and reconnection services. If necessary, they can also be placed in a shelter or a centre for humanitarian support. Not just the Roosevelt but many other hotels, many of them in prominent locations, are being converted into emergency shelters. The other hotels that are housing immigrant families include the Holiday Inn in Manhattan’s Financial District and the Watson Hotel on West 57th Street. The city is required by law to offer shelter to anyone in need. Over 4,200 migrants were taken in by the city last week as it scurried to find them shelter. (www.contentbeta.com)
