Massachusetts governor declares state of emergency amid influx of migrants seeking shelter

The Governor of Massachusetts, Maura Healey, proclaimed a state of emergency on Tuesday in response to a surge in migrants seeking refuge. This comes at a time when housing prices are increasing, and availability is already limited.

Currently, state shelters in Massachusetts house roughly 5,600 families or over 20,000 individuals, many of whom are migrants, including infants, young children, and expectant mothers. This represents an approximately 80% increase from the previous year’s figure of around 3,100 families, according to Governor Healey.

In related news, Texas has been involved in detaining fathers of migrant families on trespassing charges, a North Carolina incident saw a driver turn himself in after hitting six migrant workers, and Mexico and the U.S. are working on new plans for handling third-country migrants.

Healey explained that many of these migrants are flying into Massachusetts from other states, with 50 families arriving in just the past two days. The volume of new arrivals is unprecedented, and the Governor said that these numbers reflect a broader surge of people coming to the U.S. after enduring extremely challenging journeys.

These migrants, arriving during an existing housing shortage, symbolize the international migration crisis. In response, Healey has appealed to the federal government for financial assistance and, more critically, accelerated work permits. This will enable the migrants to secure employment and begin earning a living. As of now, obtaining these authorizations can take anywhere from weeks to over a year.

Governor Healey emphasizes that the new arrivals are keen to work and contribute rather than rely on assistance. As part of her emergency declaration, she called on local organizations and individuals to support those in need of shelter and announced the creation of a migrant relief fund to raise money for various essentials like food, clothing, healthcare, and legal help.

Massachusetts, as a right-to-shelter state, is obliged to offer shelter to eligible families through its emergency assistance program.

Geralde Gabeau of the Immigrant Family Services Institute praised the new arrivals, while Paul Diego Craney of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, a conservative group, called for a reassessment of the state’s right-to-shelter policy.

More than 80 municipalities in the state have already experienced the effects of the migrant influx and back the emergency declaration. Other states, too, are grappling with increased numbers of migrants.

New York’s Mayor recently revealed a plan to house up to 2,000 migrants on an island in the East River, while some Republican-led states have transported immigrants to Democrat-led regions, including Massachusetts.

Last year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sent 49 Venezuelan migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, a high-end community in Massachusetts, reflecting the complex and politically charged situation surrounding the migration crisis in the nation.