A Florida couple’s wedding plans were affected after an Orange County hotel unexpectedly canceled the rooms they reserved for their guests. The hotel instead planned to house migrants from New York City.
Change of Plans
At their June 24 wedding at Lippincott Manor in upstate Walkill, Mifsud and Gary Moretti, 37, who are both native New Yorkers, are expected to be joined by 160 guests from across the country.
The Crossroads Hotel in Newburgh, approximately 20 minutes from the venue, had 30 rooms reserved for the couple’s wedding guests.
PUSHED OUT: Two couples are speaking to News 12 after they say reservations for their wedding guests were canceled by the Crossroads hotel in Newburgh just days before their ceremonies, now that the hotel is in contract with NYC to house migrant men. The story @ 5 on News 12. pic.twitter.com/zs93Y1VHhj
— Blaise Gomez (@BlaiseGomez12) May 12, 2023
The newlyweds, ten bridesmaids, five groomsmen, and friends from Florida, California, Connecticut, Arizona, New Jersey, Minnesota, Long Island, and Westchester intended to stay at the hotel.
The newlyweds paid for transportation to the gathering.
Whereas everything changed when they learned Crossroads would be accepting migrants from New York City. They were being transported to hotels in Westchester, as well as the Hudson Valley, while the city battles to manage the influx of immigrants crossing the border.
They then contacted the hotel and discovered their reservation had been canceled. The hotel instructed them to contact Choice Management, the facility manager.
They were placed on hold for over 45 minutes and ultimately informed nothing could be done for them before being disconnected.
All For Immigrants
Several hotels, including The Crossroads, allegedly have turned away nearly two dozen homeless veterans to accommodate incoming migrants to make up to $190 per night in revenue.
I just heard Steven Neuhaus, Orange County NY executive, say that they are evicting veterans from hotels to house the illegal immigrants that NYC is bussing to upstate NY. Now illegal immigrants take priority over our veterans? This is insane!!
— Registered Voter (@Registrdvoter) May 13, 2023
It is at least the second set of soon-to-be-weds whose ceremonies have been disrupted by the refugee crisis.
A couple from Queens claimed the 37 accommodations they reserved months in advance at the Crossroads Hotel for their May 20 wedding guests were also abruptly canceled.
A spokesperson for Choice Hotels, the name of the company under which the Crossroads operates, stated all affected guests would be contacted to receive assistance with rebooking their impending reservations.
Crossroads was contacted with additional inquiries, but they did not respond immediately.
