The Democrats are playing the role of the obstructor. But President Trump isn’t having it.
Because his DOJ just opened up an eyebrow-raising investigation that Democrats are terrified of.
Federal Investigation Targets New York City Hotels Amid Migrant Shelter Controversy
On Wednesday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched a criminal investigation into several New York City hotels that have been repurposed as migrant shelters, according to various news reports. The probe centers on the funding and management of these facilities, raising questions about their operations amid the city’s ongoing efforts to house a growing population of migrants.
A federal subpoena, reviewed by The New York Times and the New York Post, was issued to Manhattan’s Hotel Chandler. The document reportedly demands testimony and evidence tied to the migrant shelter program, hinting at an “alleged violation” of federal immigration law, though specifics of the violation remain undisclosed. Among the requested materials, prosecutors sought a comprehensive list of migrants currently staying at the hotel, including their nationalities, dates of birth, and identification numbers, as detailed by the Times.
New York City has faced significant challenges since the surge of illegal immigrants began during the Biden-Harris administration. More than 160,000 migrants have arrived in the city, prompting Democratic Mayor Eric Adams to repeatedly call on the federal government for assistance. To manage the situation, the city has constructed new shelters and repurposed schools and hotels, spending heavily in the process. Data from NYC’s Comptroller’s Office shows the city allocated $1.47 billion for asylum seeker shelter and services in fiscal year 2023, with costs rising to $3.75 billion in fiscal year 2024.
The Times further reported that federal prosecutors asked the Hotel Chandler to identify the entities and individuals overseeing the “funding and management of the illegal immigrant/migrant shelter program.” They also requested any contracts or agreements related to the initiative. Interestingly, despite its conversion into a homeless shelter, both the Times and the New York Post noted that the Hotel Chandler has not been used to house migrants. In contrast, the nearby Candler Building in Times Square has served as a housing facility for illegal immigrants.
This federal scrutiny follows recent developments at another prominent site, the Roosevelt Hotel, which had operated as a shelter for illegal migrants. On February 24, the hotel shuttered its Asylum Arrival Center and Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center. Mayor Adams announced the closure, citing a sharp decline in migrant arrivals. “Our city was receiving 4,000 migrants each week during the height of the crisis, and now we’re down to approximately 350 new arrivals each week,” Adams stated.
The DOJ’s investigation emerges as the second Trump administration, which began with President Donald Trump’s inauguration, intensifies its focus on the illegal migrant crisis. During the Biden-Harris administration, millions crossed into the United States, straining resources in cities like New York. Under the leadership of border czar Tom Homan and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the Trump administration has ramped up enforcement efforts, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reporting over 30,000 arrests.
Surge in ICE Arrests Marks Shift in Immigration Enforcement Under Trump Administration
Since January 21, 2025, a day after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested more than 32,000 migrants living in the United States without legal authorization. This figure comes directly from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials, signaling a notable uptick in immigration enforcement activities during the early days of the Trump administration.
The arrests span several ICE initiatives, including at-large operations, the Criminal Alien Program, and the 287g partnership program, which enlists local law enforcement to assist in identifying and apprehending undocumented immigrants. A senior ICE official provided a breakdown of the numbers, noting that within the first 50 days of the administration, immigration authorities detained over 14,000 convicted criminals, 9,800 migrants with pending criminal charges, 1,155 suspected gang members, and 44 foreign fugitives.
However, not all of those apprehended fit the profile of high-priority targets. During a Wednesday conference call with reporters, a senior ICE official categorized the remaining 8,718 individuals as “immigration violators.” In prior discussions with ABC News and other media outlets, ICE has described these arrests as “collateral damage”—individuals who were not the primary focus of operations but were caught up in the sweeps nonetheless.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons framed the agency’s recent efforts as a return to its fundamental purpose. “We ended catch [and] release, and we have returned ICE to its core mission, which is arresting people who violate our immigration law,” Lyons stated. He credited Secretary Noem with helping to steer the agency toward a renewed emphasis on enforcement and responsibility, saying, “Secretary Noem and I are changing the culture of ICE to one of action and accountability.”
The aggressive push has sparked questions about ICE’s capacity to sustain this level of activity. During the call, reporters pressed officials on plans for future detention space and deportation figures. While ICE offered no fresh specifics on deportations, officials acknowledged that some detained individuals have been released due to “judicial release” or for “medical conditions and other humanitarian factors.” These releases suggest that logistical and legal constraints are already testing the agency’s resources.
Currently, ICE’s detention facilities are at full capacity, with approximately 47,000 beds occupied. To address this strain, the agency is exploring partnerships with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Federal Bureau of Prisons to expand available space. A senior ICE official emphasized that the agency is also urging Congress to step in with additional funding to support its expanding operations.
DHS officials, speaking to reporters on background Wednesday, confirmed that negotiations are underway with the Marshals Service, the Department of Defense, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons to secure more beds. At the same time, they are pressing lawmakers for financial backing to keep pace with the administration’s immigration priorities.
In addition to these efforts, ICE is managing some releases through its Alternatives to Detention program, which evaluates cases individually based on medical or humanitarian needs. This approach reveals the balancing act ICE faces as it ramps up arrests while grappling with limited infrastructure and external pressures.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
