Massachusetts Governor Proposes Restrictions on Shelter Access for Illegal Immigrants

On Wednesday, Democratic Governor Maura Healey proposed new restrictions to Massachusetts’ decades-old right-to-shelter law, aiming to address rising concerns about criminal activity and fiscal strain within the state’s emergency shelter system. The proposals would require nearly all applicants to prove legal residency in the United States, with exceptions for families with children who are citizens or lawful residents.

Governor Healey called for stricter criminal background checks, residency requirements, and proof of lawful immigration status before individuals can access the shelter system. Currently, applicants can be housed without documentation, a policy that Healey said has overwhelmed the system amid growing challenges. In a statement, she blamed Congress and the federal government for failing to address the immigration crisis.

The proposed changes follow a series of high-profile crimes in state-funded shelter facilities. In March, a Haitian man who entered the U.S. through the Biden administration’s CHNV program was arrested for allegedly raping a disabled minor at a migrant housing motel. In December, a Dominican man living illegally in the U.S. was arrested with an AR-15 and nearly $1 million in drugs at his shelter residence. Other incidents include reports of child abuse, physical assaults, and drug-related crimes within shelter facilities, according to state documentation.

Republicans criticized Healey for delayed action, with MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale stating, “It’s a shame that the Healey-Driscoll Administration took this long to come to terms with the gravity of the situation.” Healey’s administration had previously deployed officials to the U.S.-Mexico border to discourage migrants from coming to Massachusetts due to overcrowded shelters.

The influx of migrants has pushed Massachusetts to use 128 hotels and motels as temporary shelters, with costs projected to reach $1 billion in the 2025 fiscal year. Massachusetts has also been identified as a sanctuary state, with Boston and other cities limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

The governor’s proposals would require legislative approval before implementation. These changes seek to alleviate fiscal and operational pressures on the shelter system while addressing safety concerns and ensuring assistance reaches lawful residents and families.

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