US Republican Vivek Ramaswamy called a report on the New York City paid $220 million to rent a Pakistani government-owned hotel in Manhattan and said that the taxpayers are paying a foreign government to house illegals in America.
A report of 2023 was shared by author John LeFevre on X, stating that the Roosevelt Hotel is owned by the Pakistani government.
“The deal was part of a $1.1 billion IMF bailout package to help Pakistan avoid defaulting on their international debt. Prior to this sweetheart deal, the hotel had been closed since 2020, having long-struggled with occupancy and in dire need of renovation,” he said.
Reacting to the post, the Republican said, “A taxpayer-funded hotel for illegal migrants is owned by the Pakistani government which means NYC taxpayers are effectively paying a foreign government to house illegals in our own country. This is nuts.”
President-elect Donald Trump has assigned Ramaswamy and Tesla CEO Elon Musk to enhance governmental efficiency and eliminate unnecessary spending through a newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The 19-storey Roosevelt Hotel, named after former US president Theodore Roosevelt, currently serves as accommodation for undocumented immigrants under New York City’s lease.
Under the contract, the New York City administration will operate for three years, providing residential facilities to migrants.
“The lease agreement is expected to generate revenues to the tune of around USD 220 million for the Pakistan government,” Minister of Railways and Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique announced during a press conference in 2023.
“A contract was signed for 1,250 rooms. The hotel will be returned to the government of Pakistan once the three-year term lease expires,” he was quoted as saying by Geo TV.
The hotel was shut during the pandemic in 2020, only to be reopened earlier this year to house migrants.