Federal prosecutors for the Southern District of New York sent a criminal subpoena to a Manhattan hotel that houses undocumented immigrants. Issued on Wednesday, the subpoena requests a comprehensive list of individuals residing at the hotel, which is part of New York City's program offering shelter to asylum seekers. The list must include full names, dates of birth, nationality, and identification numbers.
This development is part of the Trump administration's intensified efforts to address immigration issues across the United States. The move comes amid growing protests in New York City, defending Mahmoud Khalil, a student facing deportation after participating in pro-Palestinian campus demonstrations.
The federal investigation places the hotel under scrutiny and marks an escalation in the administration's crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Federal prosecutors referred to the situation as "an alleged violation" related to "illegal immigrant/migrant shelter programs."
Concerns are rising among city officials and residents that the subpoena is a political maneuver by the Trump administration. Recently, Trump justice officials began dropping corruption charges against New York City's Mayor Eric Adams. Both the mayor and the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of New York did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigration Coalition, criticized the federal action, urging a shift in focus toward improving lives.
"Instead of wasting government time and resources, we should be thinking of how we improve the daily lives of all the people who call this country home." – Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigration Coalition
The issuance of the subpoena further fuels tensions between New York City and federal authorities. It underscores the contentious nature of immigration policy enforcement under the current administration.