Department of Justice opens investigation into NYC homeless shelters, sources say
The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into homeless shelters in New York City, CBS News New York learned Wednesday.
Sources familiar with the contents of the subpoenas say the feds are seeking information on people who have stayed in three city shelters, including the Roosevelt Hotel, which has served as an intake center for migrants for nearly two years.
Since 2023, 170,000 migrants have been processed through the Roosevelt, and thousands of families have stayed in its shelter rooms during that time.
Sources tell CBS News New York the DOJ issued subpoenas to the Roosevelt on Wednesday, as well as the Stewart Hotel, which is also a migrant shelter, and the former Hotel Chandler, which has been a homeless shelter since 2017 and does not house migrants.
Sources say the three subpoenas, issued to the buildings themselves, are seeking the names and dates of birth of migrants, along with other personal data.
Earlier this year, City Hall announced it would be closing the Roosevelt Hotel shelter and it is in the process of moving migrant families out.
Sources say New York City has not been subpoenaed, and a City Hall spokesperson said it cannot comment on any type of federal investigation.
The DOJ also declined to comment.
Mayor Adams' testimony on sanctuary cities
Last week, Mayor Eric Adams testified before the House Oversight Committee regarding sanctuary policies and was grilled about allegations of a quid pro quo with the Trump administration on claims it would dismiss the corruption case against Adams in exchange for helping carry out the president's immigration agenda.
The mayor's appearance alongside the president's "border czar," Tom Homan, was also referenced, with one lawmaker asking, "Are you selling out New Yorkers to save yourself from prosecution?"
"There's no deal, no quid pro quo, and I did nothing wrong," Adams responded.
At an unrelated news conference in Albany on Wednesday, Homan said, "New York state, you've got to change the sanctuary status. If you don't, get out of the way. We're going to do our job. New York state, watch out for [Attorney General] Pam Bondi, because she's going to take on sanctuary cities."
