Malik Waqar
Elon Musk’s announcement earlier this morning, revealing that his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team uncovered FEMA’s illegal $59 million spending to house illegal immigrants in New York City luxury hotels, has sparked widespread controversy.
One of the hotels in question, the Roosevelt Hotel, has become the focal point of many X (formerly Twitter) users’ inquiries: Is the Roosevelt Hotel really owned by Pakistan?
Musk’s post detailed how FEMA’s actions violated an executive order from President Donald Trump, which restricts FEMA funds to disaster relief efforts. Musk’s team discovered that the $59 million meant for disaster aid was instead used to accommodate illegal migrants in high-end New York City hotels. He further announced that a demand would be made to recoup those funds.
However, the situation took an unexpected turn when users on social media began highlighting that the Roosevelt Hotel is owned by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Pakistan’s national carrier. This led to concerns that U.S. taxpayers were indirectly funding a foreign government to house migrants on American soil, triggering significant backlash.
The Roosevelt Hotel, a well-known landmark in New York City, opened its doors in 1924 and has since become a symbol of the city’s architectural grandeur. Located at 45 East 45th Street in Midtown Manhattan, the 19-story building was designed in the Italian Renaissance Revival style by George B. Post & Son. Named after U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, the hotel has long been a fixture of New York’s skyline.
Historically, the Roosevelt has offered various high-end amenities, including a pet kennel, childcare services, and even an in-house doctor. With over 1,200 rooms, the hotel remains a significant part of New York’s hotel scene. In 2000, it was fully acquired by PIA, the national airline of Pakistan, which now owns the property.
In 2023, PIA entered into a deal with the New York City government to lease the Roosevelt Hotel for housing migrants. The agreement, which spans three years, is expected to generate $220 million for PIA. The hotel’s rooms are leased at a rate of $210 per night, with the city effectively using the hotel to house a large number of asylum seekers in light of New York’s growing housing crisis.
Despite the practical need to house thousands of migrants, the fact that a foreign government owns the Roosevelt Hotel has sparked significant criticism. Social media users, including former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, have raised concerns. In a post on X, Ramaswamy stated, “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.”
The Roosevelt Hotel’s lease agreement is also tied to Pakistan’s broader economic struggles. The $220 million generated from this lease is part of efforts to stabilize Pakistan’s ailing aviation industry. This deal aligns with Pakistan’s receipt of a $1.1 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), aimed at helping the country avoid a debt default. For PIA, the deal provides a much-needed revenue stream.
However, the controversy surrounding this arrangement highlights the tensions between foreign agreements and U.S. domestic issues. While New York officials argue that leasing the Roosevelt Hotel is a practical solution to the city’s migrant crisis, critics worry that such arrangements could lead to foreign influence over U.S. taxpayer funds.
As the debate over FEMA’s spending and the involvement of foreign-owned hotels in the housing of migrants intensifies, Musk’s revelation about FEMA’s misuse of funds brings even more scrutiny to the Roosevelt Hotel deal. Critics are questioning whether such international agreements should have a place in U.S. domestic affairs, especially when taxpayer money is at stake.
