Dem Massachusetts governor now wants to limit illegals in crime-ridden migrant shelters

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey is taking a firm stance on the state’s migrant crisis, implementing new measures to address mounting safety concerns. Just days before President-elect Trump is set to take office, Healey, a Democrat, is proposing significant changes to the state’s approach to housing migrants in emergency shelters.

Under Healey’s new proposal, all families seeking shelter in emergency shelters must be in the country legally, with few exceptions. This move effectively blocks new migrants from accessing state shelters unless they can prove their legal status. Exceptions will be made for households with children who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

In addition to stricter eligibility requirements, Healey is also looking to enhance background checks for shelter applicants. They will now be required to disclose any criminal convictions, both in Massachusetts and elsewhere. This is a significant departure from the current practice, where applicants can be housed before providing any documentation.

Healey’s proposal also aims to limit eligibility for shelter benefits to individuals evicted within the state, rather than anywhere in the country. This change is intended to prevent migrants from moving to Massachusetts after being evicted in other states to access shelter benefits.

The governor emphasized that these changes are necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the state’s shelter system and align with the original intent of the law. With hundreds of serious incidents reported at shelters, including instances of rape, there is a pressing need to address safety concerns and prevent crimes linked to illegal migrants.

Healey’s proposals come after a review of the state’s right-to-shelter law and continued inaction by Congress and the federal government. The changes must be approved by the legislature, and Healey has urged lawmakers to incorporate them into the Emergency Assistance (EA) Supplemental Budget.

Massachusetts has been grappling with a surge in migrants seeking shelter under the state’s Right to Shelter law, overwhelming the existing system. Last year, Healey declared a state of emergency and called for federal action to address the crisis. The state’s policies have been identified as a potential draw for migrants, leading to overcrowding in shelters and even migrants sleeping on the floors of Boston’s Logan International Airport.

The proposed changes have received support from Democratic House Speaker Ronald Mariano and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, who believe the reforms are necessary to make the shelter system safer, more accountable, and sustainable in the long term.

The Massachusetts Republican Party has previously criticized Healey for the lack of transparency in spending over $1 billion on the state’s migrant crisis. They have accused the administration of withholding critical information and obstructing the flow of information to the public.

As Massachusetts works to address its migrant crisis and ensure the safety and well-being of residents, Healey’s proposed changes mark a significant step towards reforming the state’s shelter system and addressing the challenges posed by illegal migration.