'This is nuts': Vivek Ramaswamy fumes at NYC's $220mn deal with Pakistan-owned hotel to ‘house illegals’

Vivek Ramaswamy, the biotech entrepreneur and Republican, has sharply responded to reports that New York City is leasing the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan.

Published on: Dec 1, 2024, 15:19:41 IST

By Shweta Kukreti

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Vivek Ramaswamy, the biotech entrepreneur and Republican, has sharply responded to reports that New York City is leasing the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan, which is owned by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), for $220 million. The Pakistani government owns the PIA.

Vivek Ramaswamy's remarks came after author John LeFevre highlighted the issue on X. (AFP)

“A taxpayer-funded hotel for illegal migrants is owned by the Pakistani government which means NYC taxpayers are effectively paying a foreign government to house illegals in our own country,” Ramaswamy wrote on X.

“This is nuts,” he added.

Know about the ‘sweetheart deal’ NYC and Pakistan

Ramaswamy's remarks came after author John LeFevre highlighted the issue on X.

The agreement, according to LeFevre, is a component of a broader $1.1 billion bailout plan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) designed to protect Pakistan from going into default on its foreign debt.

“Prior to this sweetheart deal, the hotel had been closed since 2020, having long-struggled with occupancy and in dire need of renovation,” he stated.

Undocumented immigrants are currently staying at the Roosevelt Hotel, which has been shuttered since 2020 due to cheap occupancy rates and restoration requirements.

The hotel and New York City have a three-year lease arrangement in place.

Over time, this arrangement is anticipated to generate significant revenue for the Pakistani government.

Pakistan Railways Minister confirms deal

Khawaja Saad Rafique, Pakistan's Minister of Railways and Aviation, announced that a 1,250-room deal was signed.

He further stated that the hotel will be given back to Pakistan after the lease period is over.

“The lease agreement is expected to generate revenues to the tune of around USD 220 million for the Pakistan government,” Rafique stated in July.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shweta Kukreti
Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.Read More

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