The number of undocumented immigrants camped out at Boston Logan International Airport appears to have increased in recent months, according to several reports.
Currently, more than 100 people are sleeping on the floor at the airport’s baggage claim area. New York Post report.
“We don’t want families staying at Logan Airport.”
Late last month, Massachusetts State Police troopers responded to a “minor altercation” between two families staying in Terminal E, Lt. Shawn Quirke said. Wikipedia.
“Officers identified two families who were arguing over the use of a power outlet,” he said. “The families involved were separated and one family was removed from the terminal.”
In response to the incident, Governor Maura Healey said, “We do not want families to be stranded at Logan Airport, and we will continue to call on Congress to act on reforms to address what is happening at the border.”
The Massachusetts Port Authority would not confirm whether the number of illegal immigrants sleeping at the airport had recently doubled. Swift But he noted that they would not be at the airport during the day because they would be transported to a state welcome center.
Massachusetts, the only state in the country that allows for a right to shelter, ran out of emergency shelter space in November, with about 7,500 households being accommodated.
Healey’s office last month announced plans to convert the Bay State Correctional Centre in Norfolk, a defunct prison, into shelter space for about 400 homeless families. Blaze News As previously reported, the new emergency shelter was scheduled to open this month.
Emergency Relief Director Scott Rice previously told WCVB the facility, which features dorm-style rooms, a cafeteria, gymnasium, common rooms and offices, is in “good condition.” The state also plans to include a play area for children and classroom space for adults to attend language courses, workshops and job training.
Healey’s office said the new planned safety net facility would be used to house undocumented immigrants currently staying at the city’s airport.
Norfolk city councillor Jim Lehan has previously raised concerns that the town’s primary school does not have enough space to cater for growing numbers of pupils.
He said the town was “a bit surprised” by the state’s plan to convert the closed prison into a safety-net facility.
“I get calls I don’t know anything about, and I don’t know what they’re about. It’s been a little tough,” he said. “All I know is that people are coming here and they have issues associated with it, and we have to sort it out.”
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