New York City to close last migrant hotel

(NewsNation) — New York City announced it will shut down its last migrant hotel in the coming months.  

The Row NYC was converted into a migrant shelter in October 2022 to address the overwhelming influx of migrants arriving in the city and served as an emergency shelter for thousands of asylum seekers. 

The Row NYC's contract, which cost the city more than $5 million a month, will expire in April. The multi-year contract has generated more than $170 million for the hotel since 2022.

Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the closure, calling it a “major milestone.” He said the city has helped more than 200,000 migrants move out of shelters and work toward self-sufficiency. 

The timing reflects a broader trend across the country. Arrivals have dropped sharply due to the Trump administration's immigration policies. In New York City, the number of arrivals has gone from about 4,000 per week at the height of the crisis to around 100 per week. Earlier this summer, the city also closed its intake center at the Roosevelt Hotel.

The city-run shelter network will absorb the remaining migrants, which, as of last week, was housing around 92,000 people, including more than 35,000 migrants. 

The reduced arrival numbers have allowed the city to step back from large-scale hotel use like Row NYC, a shift also underway in cities like Chicago and Denver. 

Ditching costly hotel contracts like this one reduces local government expenses.