Former President Donald Trump criticized the U.S. and U.K. governments for housing migrants in expensive hotels at public expense while many citizens, including military veterans, struggle to find basic shelter. Speaking aboard Air Force One after returning from a trip to Scotland, Trump responded to concerns about Britain’s use of hotels for asylum seekers, saying it reflects a wider issue also seen in the United States.
Trump claimed that while migrants are being placed in some of the world’s finest hotels, American citizens who work hard or served in the military are being left homeless. He cited examples of veterans sleeping on sidewalks outside hotels where migrants are staying, calling the situation “no good” and unjust.
He also claimed that some migrants in the U.S. are put up in hotels costing thousands of dollars per night, while struggling Americans can’t get a place to stay. He criticized the contrast between government support for illegal immigrants and the lack of assistance for citizens in need.
Although some earlier reports alleging displaced veterans in New York hotels were later proven false, other incidents have stirred controversy. In Massachusetts, military families attending the Army-Navy football game in 2023 received cancellations from hotels that had been reserved to accommodate migrants.
New York City has seen significant financial strain as over 232,000 migrants have arrived since 2022. The city has spent billions to provide shelter, including converting hotels like the Roosevelt and Stewart into migrant housing. The Roosevelt Hotel, which processed over 173,000 migrants, was also the subject of a Justice Department investigation over alleged gang-related activity. The hotel is owned by Pakistan’s government and closed its doors in June 2024.
Trump’s remarks come as cities and states continue to face growing tension over how to manage large numbers of incoming migrants while addressing the needs of their existing populations.
