Massachusetts Migrant Shelters: Crime Surges Under Democratic Oversight

The problem lies in the state’s sanctuary laws that prevent local enforcement from working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), leading to a concerning environment for both citizens and the illegal aliens the policies are supposed to protect. Taxpayers are left covering a hefty $1 billion bill for these shelters.

Governor Maura Healey, a Democrat, has been under fire for how she’s handled the immigration crisis since taking office in 2023. Despite the challenges, she’s been adamant about shielding illegal aliens from any federal immigration enforcement, particularly under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.

Healey has been vocal about not cooperating with ICE and has stood by the state’s sanctuary policies, though she’s tried to alter shelter costs and reduce stays for families with children.

Her stance seemed to shift slightly when she stated that Massachusetts is “not a sanctuary state,” despite evidence to the contrary. Massachusetts doesn’t comply with ICE detainer requests and is the only state with a right-to-shelter law, which requires providing housing for all pregnant women and families with children, including illegal aliens. This policy mandates that the accommodations should have basic amenities, causing an extra burden on state resources.

Healey acknowledged the original intent of the shelter system was to help Massachusetts families facing homelessness. She also voiced that violent criminals who are in the country unlawfully should be deported, encouraging cooperation among law enforcement agencies to remove such threats.

However, reports and data from ICE tell a different story. Massachusetts courts have ignored ICE’s detainer requests, releasing individuals accused of serious crimes.

For instance, in Plymouth County, a court released a man charged with aggravated rape of a child on a bond, despite a request from ICE to detain him. This individual was later arrested by ICE without any help from state authorities.

Similarly, a Dominican national accused of multiple crimes was released with a GPS tracker, only for ICE to apprehend him later. The state’s lack of cooperation with federal agents is troubling, especially when these serious crimes are involved.

In another alarming case, a Dominican national was found with a loaded AR-15 and a significant amount of fentanyl in one of the state’s emergency shelters. The governor’s claim that residents undergo background checks was questioned by the Massachusetts House Republican Caucus, given how such a person was allowed to stay in a shelter.

Healey has tried to push the blame for these issues onto the Biden administration, citing the immigration crisis as a strain on the state’s resources. The governor announced plans to conduct sweeps of shelter units, starting with Revere, to address these problems.

Records obtained by the Boston Herald show more than 1,000 incidents at these shelters over the past couple of years. The reports detail a range of crimes, including theft, assaults, and even rape, with cases where minors were reportedly abused by their own family members.

Jon Fetherston, a former director at one of these shelters, described a grim picture of the situation, highlighting instances of violence and abuse that went unchecked. He noted the lack of proper screening for those entering the shelters, leading to dangerous situations for many residents.

The situation in Massachusetts highlights the challenges of managing sanctuary policies, especially when the safety and well-being of citizens and immigrants are at stake. It’s a clear call for reevaluating these laws to ensure they truly serve the intended purpose and protect everyone involved.