In a sudden move, Governor Maura Healey, a Democrat, has dispatched officials to the southern border in Texas to persuade migrants from heading to Massachusetts. This decision follows her months-long advocacy and budget approval for migrants.
Leading the delegation from Massachusetts is Scott Rice, Shelter Crisis Director and General Manager, Emergency Assistance. The four Texas cities deemed most common for migrants to pass through on their journey to Massachusetts will be visited.
Upon arrival, officials will meet with families settling in the US and organizations catering to them, providing accurate information about a lack of shelter space in Massachusetts. No official statement has been released highlighting the state’s limited capacity to accommodate increasing numbers of migrants.
Massachusetts legislation prohibits law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, but the Bay State is also one of the handful of states with a “right to shelter” law. Several cities within Massachusetts have declared themselves sanctuary cities.
As an emergency shelter system, Massachusetts typically accommodates 7,500 families, reaching capacity in November at 7,379 families with no further space available. By law, migrant families are limited to only nine months in the shelter system, beginning in April.
This move mirrors officials in Colorado, who have also dispatched team members to intercept migrants, warning them about the lack of available space in Denver and imploring them to seek shelter elsewhere. In April, Andres Carrera, Communications Liaison for Newcomer Arrivals, was spotted convincing migrants to leave Denver, recommending they explore alternative destinations.
