A Jackson Hewitt employee stationed near a migrant shelter in New York City was caught distributing flyers in Spanish that promoted tax refunds for illegal immigrants — including those who were not employed — just weeks ahead of Tax Day.
Independent reporter Savanah Hernandez shared footage from the scene outside the Roosevelt Hotel. The flyers claimed that even those without income could receive “the maximum refund for your family.” Refund amounts were listed by the number of children, with up to $14,255 offered for those claiming three dependents.
🚨 BREAKING: Employees of Jackson-Hewitt, a tax services company, were handing out flyers to illegal immigrants lined up outside of the Roosevelt Hotel in NYC, which is famous for housing migrants on the taxpayer's dime.
The flyer indicates that illegal immigrants can get up to… pic.twitter.com/w56w7oZ1BN
— FRONTLINES (@FrontlinesTPUSA) March 29, 2025
When Hernandez asked whether the service was available to migrants, one employee at the table answered affirmatively. Another said the company routinely operates at other shelters as well. After Hernandez identified herself as a journalist, the employee took the flyer back.
The Roosevelt Hotel, shut down during the pandemic, has been operating as a migrant shelter and processing center. The building has been central to New York’s migrant response, but it is set to close this June, according to an announcement from Mayor Eric Adams.
In the meantime, new facilities have been opening across the city. One of the newest, located in the Bronx, includes space for 2,200 single men. The city’s shelter system continues to grow as thousands of illegal immigrants arrive each month.
The flyers shared by Hernandez sparked strong reactions online, including from Elon Musk. As head of the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk warned that refund abuse drains federal funds and encourages more illegal immigration. He accused Democrats of backing such tactics to maintain political power.
Hernandez said the information distributed by Jackson Hewitt lacked clarity on employment or legal status requirements. Critics say such messaging encourages fraud and signals a failure in federal oversight.
New York has already spent billions managing the migrant crisis, and projections indicate the cost could grow even more in the coming fiscal year.
