‘Rampant’ abuse in blue state migrant shelter system, says former director: ‘Colossal mess’
Former Massachusetts migrant shelter director, Jon Fetherston, is speaking out about the rampant abuse within the state’s migrant shelter system following a horrifying attack he experienced at the hands of an immigrant rapist. Fetherston, who oversaw the Marlborough migrant shelter from 2023 to 2024, described the system as a “big, colossal mess” plagued by crime, domestic abuse, and child neglect.
The shocking incident that prompted Fetherston to blow the whistle involved a Haitian immigrant named Ronald Joseph, who had been staying at a government-funded migrant shelter in Marlborough. Joseph, 42, was accused of repeatedly raping and impregnating his own 13-year-old daughter while residing at the shelter. When confronted about his heinous actions, Joseph became agitated and attacked Fetherston, blaming him for the consequences he faced.
In a disturbing revelation, Fetherston shared that Joseph justified his actions by claiming that in his home country of Haiti, it was acceptable to have sex with a woman once she had started menstruating. This appalling justification left Fetherston shaken to his core, highlighting the deeply ingrained cultural norms and beliefs that contribute to the cycle of abuse within the migrant shelter system.
Despite the gravity of the situation, authorities did not immediately arrest Joseph, instead directing Fetherston to arrange for him to be transferred to another shelter in Worcester County. It took eight months for Marlborough police to finally apprehend Joseph, raising questions about the effectiveness of the response to such incidents within the shelter system.
Fetherston revealed that the case involving Joseph was not an isolated incident, but rather indicative of the widespread violence and criminal activities that occur within Massachusetts migrant shelters. He emphasized that incidents of rape, domestic violence, sex trafficking, and drug dealing are alarmingly common, with many cases going unreported or overlooked due to systemic issues and lack of resources.
Despite bringing his concerns to Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Fetherston felt ignored and disillusioned by the lack of action taken to address the pervasive abuse within the shelter system. While promises of reform and mandatory background checks for residents have been made, Fetherston noted that little progress has been made and funding for the shelters has been renewed without significant changes.
As Fetherston continues to advocate for transparency and accountability within the Massachusetts migrant shelter system, his harrowing experience serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform to protect vulnerable individuals and prevent further instances of abuse and violence.
