Vivek Ramaswamy, co-leader of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), criticised New York City's $220 million deal to rent the Roosevelt Hotel, which is owned by the Pakistani government, for housing illegal migrants. He argued that this deal wastes taxpayer money, as NYC residents are essentially paying a foreign government to house migrants on US soil.

The hotel, which has been closed since 2020 and needed significant renovations, is owned by Pakistan’s government. The $220 million deal is part of a larger $1.1 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help Pakistan avoid defaulting on its international debt. Vivek Ramaswamy criticised the use of taxpayer money, expressing his anger on X (formerly Twitter). He claimed that New York City taxpayers are essentially paying a foreign government to shelter illegal migrants in the U.S., calling the situation "nuts." 

Vivek Ramaswamy responded to John LeFevre's post on X read, "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. This is nuts." Author John LeFevre on X, "The city of New York pays $220 million to rent the entire Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan to house illegal migrants. The hotel is owned by the government of Pakistan, and the deal was part of a $1.1 billion IMF bailout package to help Pakistan avoid defaulting on their international debt. Prior to this sweetheart deal, the hotel had been closed since 2020, having long-struggled with occupancy and in dire need of renovation."

The Roosevelt Hotel, a well-known hotel in Manhattan, has faced low occupancy and needed renovations before the deal. The decision to rent it for housing migrants comes as the US deals with an ongoing migrant crisis, with cities struggling to find ways to accommodate the increasing number of people seeking refuge. In 2023, the Pakistani government leased the Roosevelt Hotel, which is owned by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), to New York City for three years in return for USD 220 million, according to a report by Dawn. Khawaja Saad Rafique, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Railways and Aviation, confirmed that the government had signed a contract with the NYC administration.

US President-elect Donald Trump has announced that Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Tesla, SpaceX, and "X" CEO Elon Musk will head the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). As part of his "Save America" campaign, Trump said the two would be instrumental in reducing regulations, eliminating unnecessary spending, reorganising federal agencies and tearing down government bureaucracy. The DOGE will work together with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to carry out major reforms and promote a business-minded approach to government.