It would have been far better to spend a little more on transportation to spread them out to towns like Lovelock, Nevada and Beulah, North Dakota where hotels are a lot cheaper and the local political climate, while hospitable to people who will shift for themselves a little, have no sympathy whatsoever to layabouts.
Those communities you mentioned are less likely to put up with welfare leeches than the major cities are.
Which is another reason why it would've been a good idea...
Why do you think we want to support moochers here in North Dakota? I'd rather leave them in the Blue States so the lefties can fund their Halle-Berry-watching butts.
I live only 35 miles south of Lovelock. I think that would have been a GREAT place to put them. There is also a prison nearby, to 'house' some too. Yeah, once you get out here in the desert, you will need to fend for yourself. But, $9k will last along time in the local casinos, at least nickels do.