Massachusetts governor proposes stricter rules for migrant shelters amid safety concerns over migrant-related crimes

By bellecarter // 2025-01-23

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Massachusetts Democratic governor Maura Healey has introduced sweeping changes to the state's shelter system, focusing on limiting access for undocumented migrants and addressing safety concerns.
The reforms would require shelter applicants to prove legal residency or citizenship, with exceptions for families with U.S. citizen or lawful resident children. Background checks for criminal convictions and immigration status verification are now mandatory.
Healey declared a state of emergency in August 2023 due to the surge in migrant arrivals and requested federal assistance.
While some lawmakers from both parties praised the reforms, the Massachusetts Republican Party criticized the administration for its lack of transparency in handling the migrant crisis.
Despite the proposed changes, Healey has vowed not to cooperate with anticipated mass deportation efforts, emphasizing the state's commitment to protecting its residents.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, has announced sweeping changes to the state's shelter system, aiming to limit access for undocumented migrants and address growing safety concerns. The proposed reforms, unveiled just days before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, would require shelter applicants to prove legal residency or citizenship, with few exceptions. The move comes as Massachusetts grapples with an overwhelmed shelter system and rising incidents of crime linked to undocumented immigrants. Massachusetts, long known for its progressive policies, adopted its Right to Shelter law in 1983 to provide housing for vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and children experiencing homelessness. However, the law has faced unprecedented strain in recent years as tens of thousands of migrants have flocked to the state, many seeking refuge from deportation and drawn by its reputation as a sanctuary state. Since 2021, approximately 50,000 migrants have arrived in Massachusetts, overwhelming shelters and forcing some to sleep on the floors of Boston's Logan International Airport. Healey declared a state of emergency in August 2023, citing the surge in migrant arrivals and calling for federal assistance. "The reality is that our shelter system was not designed to handle this level of demand," Healey said in a statement. "We need to make changes to ensure the system remains sustainable and safe for everyone." Healey's proposal would require shelter applicants to verify their U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or presence "under the color of law." Exceptions would be made for families with children who are U.S. citizens or lawful residents. Additionally, the plan mandates stricter background checks, requiring applicants to disclose criminal convictions and verify their identity, residency and immigration status before being admitted to shelters. Currently, documentation can be provided after admittance, a practice that critics say has allowed individuals with criminal backgrounds to access state resources. The reforms also aim to limit shelter eligibility for evictions to cases occurring within Massachusetts, preventing migrants evicted in other states from seeking benefits in the Commonwealth. "These changes are appropriate and needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the state shelter system in a way that aligns with the original intent of the law," Healey said. "They will allow us to continue to ensure the safety of our system, support cities and towns, and put us on the path toward a more fiscally sustainable shelter system." The push for reform follows a series of high-profile incidents involving undocumented immigrants in-state shelters. State records reveal hundreds of serious incidents, including rapes and drug-related crimes. In one case, an undocumented immigrant was allegedly found with an AR-15 rifle and $1 million worth of fentanyl in a state-subsidized hotel room. Another incident involved an El Salvadoran national arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a child. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reported a spike in arrests of undocumented immigrants for sex crimes in the Boston area. (Related: Illegal immigrant from Dominican Republic ARRESTED for drug and weapon trafficking at taxpayer-funded migrant shelter.)

Political reactions and federal inaction

Healey's proposal has sparked mixed reactions from state lawmakers. Democratic House Speaker Ronald Mariano praised the plan, stating it aligns with ongoing efforts to reform the shelter system. "The House has consistently led the effort to ensure the Commonwealth's emergency assistance program remains financially viable in the long term," Mariano said. Republican Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr also welcomed the changes, calling them "urgently needed" to make the system "safer, more accountable and transparent." However, the Massachusetts Republican Party has criticized Healey for what it describes as a lack of transparency in handling the migrant crisis. In August 2023, the party accused the governor of secretly spending over $1 billion on the crisis while withholding information about hundreds of police, fire and EMT incidents. "The Healey-Driscoll administration has shrouded nearly $1 billion spent in secrecy, leaving Massachusetts residents in the dark," said Massachusetts GOP Chair Amy Carnevale. Healey's reforms come amid continued inaction by Congress on immigration reform and no federal assistance for states dealing with migrant surges. Despite her proposed changes, Healey has vowed not to cooperate with the Trump administration's anticipated mass deportation efforts, pledging to use "every tool in the toolbox" to protect residents. Head over to InvasionUSA.news for related stories. Watch the video below where a retired ICE agent warns about migrant crimes. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

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Political reactions and federal inaction

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