Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey is ramping up her state's response to the migrant crisis amid heightened security concerns and days before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.
Healey, a Democrat, has proposed sweeping changes to how the state admits immigrants, proposing that all families staying in emergency shelters remain in the country legally, with rare exceptions. There is. The measure would effectively prevent new immigrants from staying in the state's shelters.
The changes, made after an overhaul of the state's right-to-refuge law, require all applicants for shelter to be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or are staying here “as provided by law.” need to be proven. An exception is made for households with children who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey is ramping up her state's response to the migrant crisis amid heightened security concerns and days before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. (Adam Glanzman/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
ICE arrests three illegal immigrants in major cities: two charged with child rape, one convicted of same crime in Brazil
The governor is also considering requiring disclosure of criminal convictions in the state and elsewhere and strengthening background checks on shelter residents.
Under her proposal, applicants would have to verify their identity, residency and immigration status before being detained. Currently, shelter applicants are allowed to be housed before submitting their paperwork.
It would also limit those eligible for eviction to states rather than nationwide. For example, this would eliminate a scenario where an immigrant is evicted from another state and then comes to Massachusetts to receive shelter benefits.
“We believe these changes are appropriate and necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the state's shelter system, consistent with the original intent of the law,” Healey said in a statement. said. “Furthermore, these proposed changes will allow us to continue to ensure the safety of our systems, support cities and towns that serve the needs of unhoused families in their communities, and provide more financially sustainable evacuations.” You can walk the path towards a local system.”
At Boston's Logan International Airport, migrants were sometimes sleeping on the floor as shelters became overcrowded. (Erin Clark/Boston Globe, left, Joseph Prezioso, top right, David L. Ryan/Boston Globe, bottom right)
The move comes amid safety concerns at the state's shelters and various crimes related to illegal immigration in the state. State records show hundreds of serious incidents, including rape, have occurred at shelters.
Last month, an undocumented immigrant was arrested on suspicion of possessing an AR-15 and about $1 million worth of fentanyl in a state-subsidized hotel room. An illegal immigrant from El Salvador was arrested on suspicion of child sexual assault, while Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed a recent spike in illegal immigrants being arrested for sex crimes in the Boston area and across Massachusetts. .
Healey said in November that state police would “absolutely” not cooperate with the incoming Trump administration's expected mass deportation efforts, saying they would use “every tool in their toolbox” to “protect” residents of blue states. I warned you to use it.
Healey's new proposal comes after a review of the state's right-of-refuge law, which he said “continues Congressional inaction and no support from the federal government.”
The proposal must be approved by Parliament, and Mr Healy outlined his recommendations. in the letter We called on the President, the Speaker, and the House and Senate Ways and Means Committee chairs to include changes in the Emergency Assistance (EA) supplementary budget.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey visit the Melnea A. Cass Recreation Complex, which was used as a detention facility for more than 300 immigrants. (John Turmacchi/Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Democratic governor threatens to use 'all means' to fight back against Trump-era deportations
She recently announced that the government would phase out the use of hotels and motels as shelters by the end of 2025.
Forty years ago, Massachusetts adopted the Right to Refuge Act, which was designed to provide housing for families in need of shelter, especially pregnant women and children experiencing homelessness.
In recent years, migrants have sought shelter under this law, and the protection system has reached its limits. Last year, Healy declared a state of emergency in the state due to the surge and sought federal action. She also acknowledged that state policies could attract immigrants.
At Boston's Logan International Airport, migrants were sometimes sleeping on the floor as shelters became overcrowded.
According to the report, approximately 50,000 immigrants have arrived in the state since 2021. July report by the Center for Immigration Studies.
Democratic House Speaker Ronald Mariano said the new proposal is consistent with what lawmakers are trying to do.
“From the outset of the shelter system crisis, the House of Representatives has consistently led efforts to ensure that federal emergency assistance programs remain financially viable in the long term, resulting in longer stay limits and necessary Reforms have been made to limit employment, he said in a statement, according to the Associated Press.
A security guard walks around the main living area of the state emergency overflow shelter for immigrants at the Melnea A. Cass Recreation Complex. (Craig F. Walker/Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr also welcomed the proposal.
“With a growing consensus, not just on Beacon Hill but across the commonwealth, that big changes are needed, and soon, we can finally make our system safer, more accountable and transparent, and more sustainable.” “We now have the opportunity to take steps to do so,” the Senate said. Minority Leader Bruce Tarr said in a statement.
Massachusetts Republicans in August accused Mr. Healey of secretly spending more than $1 billion on the state's immigration crisis.
“The Healey-Driscoll administration hid nearly $1 billion in secrecy, leaving Massachusetts residents in the dark,” Amy Carnevale, chairwoman of the Massachusetts Republican Party, said in a statement at the time.
“The government has withheld vital information about 600 incidents involving police, fire and emergency personnel. At every turn, the government obstructs journalists and obstructs the flow of information to the public.”
