The city will be closing down the Asylum Seeker Arrival Center and Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center at The Roosevelt Hotel, Mayor Adams announced on Monday.
Since opening in May 2023, the facility has functioned as a centralized intake center for newly arriving asylum seekers, providing a variety of support services including legal assistance, medical care, and reconnection services. It has also served as a humanitarian relief center for families with children.
Of the over 232,000 migrants that have come into New York City’s care since the spring of 2022, more than 173,000 registrations were completed at The Roosevelt Hotel between May 2023 and February 2025. The average number of registrants decreased to 350 per week in recent months, with the center reaching 4,000 a week at its peak.
Going forward, these intake functions and supportive services will now be integrated into other areas of the system.
“While we’re not done caring for those who come into our care, today marks another milestone in demonstrating the immense progress we have achieved in turning the corner on an unprecedented international humanitarian effort,” said Mayor Adams. “Our administration has skillfully managed this crisis, which has seen over 232,000 migrants enter our city asking for shelter, and The Roosevelt Hotel has been key in allowing us to effectively manage our operations, processing over 173,000 individuals through these doors. Now, thanks to the sound policy decisions of our team, we are able to announce the closure of this site and help even more asylum seekers take the next steps in their journeys as they envision an even brighter future, while simultaneously saving taxpayers millions of dollars. The fact that, within a span of year, we are closing 53 sites and shuttering all of our tent-based facilities shows both our continued progress and our ability, when faced with unprecedented challenges, to do what no other city can.”
The Roosevelt Hotel is one of the 53 planned closures of other emergency shelter site, expected to be completed by June. The intake functions of these sites are going to be transferred to other areas within the system.
According to the administration, there are currently fewer than 45,000 migrants in the city’s care, down from a high of 69,000 in January of 2024. As a result of the city’s efforts in supporting asylum seekers, more than 84% of adults have or have applied for work authorization. Additionally, more than 188,000 migrants who requested services from the city in the last three years have taken the next steps in their journeys towards self-sufficiency.
“There are so many moments that I can point to where we have made significant strides in positively and effectively impacting the lives of the thousands of migrants who made their way to New York City, but the activation of The Roosevelt Arrival Center was true game changer,” said Mayor’s Office of Asylum Seeker Operations Executive Director Molly Schaeffer. “Our work on this humanitarian relief center is far from over, and our teams and community partners remain committed to serving everyone who comes into our care; but today’s announcement is a testament to the tremendous work that has been done to date as we remain steadfastly focused on our mission!”
