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Over 100 families seeking asylum have vacated the Ramada by Wyndham in Yonkers, where they had been housed since 2023, and are now transitioning to permanent housing or shelters operated by New York City’s Department of Homeless Services.

The move follows a successful lawsuit by the City of Yonkers against the hotel for violating the Yonkers City Code and its Certificate of Occupancy. Despite initially presenting the housing arrangement as temporary, the hotel accommodated asylum seekers for nearly two years, violating city regulations that prohibit non-transient residences.

“The City of Yonkers took legal action to enforce our zoning and occupancy laws, ensuring that businesses operate within the boundaries of the law,” said Mayor Mike Spano in a statement.

As a result of the violations, the Ramada has paid $515,000 in penalties—an amount that exceeds the city’s estimated loss of hotel tax revenue for the 20-month period.

While the families move on to new accommodations, the case highlights the ongoing challenges local governments face in balancing housing needs with regulatory compliance, especially amid the broader migrant crisis affecting New York.