Blue Massachusetts Seeks Federal Support for Migrants

Official Commonwealth of Massachusetts Photo

The governors of Florida and Texas have been in the news for tough immigration enforcement measures.  But concerns with the number of migrants also have been expressed by political leaders in so-called Blue states.  Last week, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has dec;ared that the city had “run out of room” for migrants.  

Yesterday, Governor Maura T. Healey today declared that a state of emergency exists in Massachusetts due to the

“rapidly rising numbers of migrant families arriving in Massachusetts in need of shelter and services and a severe lack of shelter availability in the state. The declaration serves as a notice to the federal government and the Commonwealth that the state’s shelter system is rapidly expanding capacity in an unsustainable manner, and that further assistance is urgently needed. There are currently nearly 5,600 families or more than 20,000 individuals in state shelter, including children and pregnant women. 

In a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Governor Healey pointed to work authorizations as a primary driver of the crisis. She called on the federal government to take urgent action to streamline and expedite work authorizations and increase funding to states to assist in providing shelter and services to families. She called on bipartisan leaders in Congress to address outdated and punitive immigration laws. She also called on the cities and towns, charities, advocates, faith organizations and providers to continue to partner with the administration to meet the need for shelter and work.” (bold added).

Asylum applicants are not eligible for work authorization for six months after applying.  Unable to work lawfully makes life especially difficult for migrants of modest means.

KJ

UPDATE (Aug. 10):  New York Mayor Eric Adams yesterday claimed that the migrant “crisis” could cost the people of the Big Apple as much as $12 billion.