The story was red meat for right-wing politicians, who have spent years telling meritless and fact-free stories about imaginary veterans being passed over for help in favor of offering money to equally imaginary asylum-seekers; however, the narrative fell apart in record time thanks to critical reporting:

https://www.truthorfiction.com/homeless-veterans-brian-maher-immigrants/

Anti-Immigrant Claims Involving Homeless ‘Veterans’ Fall Apart –...

A New York state lawmaker has recanted allegations that came from a veterans' group.

Truth or Fiction?
@TruthOrFiction Which does not happen near enough w/ most of the media. They need to call out the bullshit for what it is and stop treating these terrorists as legit. They aren't.
@DMBaker That's what we're trying to do but boy, it sure is Sisyphean lately

@TruthOrFiction

Tell a lie and watch it fly - republican operative