New York City officials are extending their contract with three area hotels to give free taxpayer-funded housing to illegal immigrants totaling over $1 billion.
https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/1706483062878748794
The newly revised $1.365 billion covers the cost of housing illegal immigrants for the next three years, per the New York Post.
This is more than four times the original estimate and involves paying rental fees at over 100 New York City hotels.
Nicole Gelinas, senior fellow with The Manhattan Institute, questioned the plan asking, “Why are we extending this contract for three years?”
“It sends the message of not wanting to reduce this migrant population,” she added.
She also stated this would create “one big monopoly” between the hotel industry and city government.
Robert Holden, a Democrat Queens councilman, stated, “The migrant crisis has evolved into a financial boondoggle, with quietly extended contracts fattening the pockets of a few at the taxpayers’ expense.”
“It’s time to halt this fiscal recklessness,” he declared.
Holden also suggested, “Let’s send those [migrant] buses to the White House and remember that ‘Right to Shelter’ shouldn’t be misconstrued as a global entitlement.”
A spokeswoman with the city Department Department of Social Services/Homeless Services stated, “For over a year now, the city has worked to address this humanitarian crisis with an all of government approach, and with thousands of asylum seekers arriving each week, we are constantly reassessing our needs.”
“This proposal for contract extension is designed to provide capacity as needed, but it also provides the flexibility to scale back or terminate if circumstances on the ground change,” they concluded.
The border crisis has become such a concern that billionaire and X owner Elon Musk has pledged to travel to the border after video of trains of migrants headed to the border surfaced. X was formerly Twitter.
He wrote, “I spoke with Rep. Tony Gonzales tonight – he confirmed that it is a serious issue.”
I spoke with Rep Tony Gonzales tonight – he confirmed that it is a serious issue.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 26, 2023
They are being overwhelmed by unprecedented numbers – just hit an all-time high and still growing!
Am going to visit Eagle Pass later this week to see what’s going on for myself.
“They are being overwhelmed by unprecedented numbers – just hit an all-time high and still growing!” he concluded.