The Pakistani government owes New York City taxpayers millions in unpaid taxes even after raking in nearly $150 million by housing illegal aliens at the Roosevelt Hotel.
The Manhattan landmark, owned by Pakistan International Airlines, a quasi-state entity, has accumulated $13.6 million in overdue property taxes, according to the New York Post.
In addition, the hotel has racked up nearly $1 million in unpaid water bills.
The hotel became a central intake hub for illegal aliens after then–New York City Mayor Eric Adams entered into contracts allowing tens of thousands of migrants to be processed and housed there.
According to the Post, the Roosevelt Hotel processed more than 173,000 of the 232,000 illegal aliens who arrived in the city after unlawfully entering the country.
From May 2023 through June 2025, taxpayers shelled out $146.6 million, roughly $202 per room per night, to house about 2,600 illegal aliens each night at the once-luxury property.
Life Sentence Killer Among Those Housed
Among those who stayed at the Roosevelt Hotel was Jose Ibarra.
Ibarra is a Venezuelan gang member who is now serving life without parole for the murder of nursing student Laken Riley in Georgia.
The revelation has intensified criticism of New York City’s migrant housing policies and the financial arrangements surrounding the Roosevelt.
Missed Payments, Mounting Bills
The unpaid property taxes stem from a September 2023 payment agreement with the city’s Department of Finance.
Under that deal, the hotel was required to pay $573,361 on January 2.
That payment was not made.
A $3.9 million half-year installment also went unpaid.
New York City taxpayers, who financed the migrant housing operation, are now left watching a foreign government-owned property fall millions behind on its obligations.
Possible Federal Tax Shield
Adding to concerns, the hotel recently entered into a redevelopment deal with the federal government.
According to the Post, the arrangement could potentially trigger a federal tax exemption.
The U.S. Department of State often requests that cities grant tax exemptions when foreign governments acquire U.S. properties.
A spokesperson for the Department of Finance said the agency has not “received” such a request but emphasized that prior charges “must still be paid.”
Taxpayers Left Holding the Bag
The situation leaves New Yorkers in a familiar position of having to foot the bill.
City residents funded nearly $150 million in payments to house illegal aliens at a property owned by a foreign state-linked entity, and now that same entity owes millions in back taxes and utility fees.
With a possible federal exemption looming and millions still unpaid, taxpayers may be left wondering whether they will ever see that money returned, or whether yet another financial burden will simply be absorbed into the city’s already strained budget.
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