The Department of Justice is conducting an immigrant-related investigation that has resulted in at least three subpoenas landing at New York City hotels, including the Roosevelt Hotel migrant intake center, a source familiar with the matter told NBC New York.
Subpoenas were also issued to two other shelters — one that shelters migrants and another that does not, according to the source.
A DOJ spokesman said, "the department declines to comment on an ongoing investigation."
Watch NBC 4 free wherever you are
WATCH HEREThe New York-based source said the subpoenas demand names and dates of birth of residents as well as their testimony. News of the subpoenas was first reported by The Guardian.
Fabien Levy, a spokesperson for NYC Mayor Eric Adams, said the administration "cannot comment on any type of federal investigation." A local source briefed on the matter said the investigation does not involve the mayor or his case in any way.
Get Tri-state area news delivered to your inbox with NBC New York's News Headlines newsletter.
SIGN UP According to a legal expert, the subpoenas may be based on a federal harboring statute, which makes it a crime to harbor people in the U.S. without documentation. The statute could potentially be used to pressure city officials if it were alleged they violated the law.
The investigation came to light on the same day as the Trump administration border czar Tom Homan met with Republican Leaders at the State Capitol in Albany, threatening to double the number of ICE agents in New York State if Gov. Kathy Hochul does not cooperate with their immigration enforcement efforts.
News
"Sanctuary cities are going to get exactly what they don't want — more agents in the community," Homan said.
Last month, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a civil lawsuit against New York State over its so-called green light law, which allows undocumented people to obtain driver's licenses and blocks federal ICE officers from accessing DMV records without a subpoena.
