
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey faces sharp criticism from the state’s GOP over how her administration manages violence in migrant shelters.
At a Glance
- Massachusetts GOP criticizes Governor Healey’s handling of violence in migrant shelters.
- A Freedom of Information Act request reveals incidents of violence in shelters.
- Governor Healey has initiated state shelter inspections in response to safety concerns.
- The GOP argues inspections are insufficient and overdue.
Concerns in Migrant Shelters
Massachusetts shelters enrolled in the Emergency Assistance program experience significant violence and crime. Over 316 ‘serious incident’ reports have been documented since 2022, raising alarms about safety and security. A Freedom of Information Act request revealed reports of neglect, trafficking, rape, and domestic violence, casting doubt on the efficacy of current shelter management.
Governor Healey responded by ordering inspections of state-run emergency shelters. These inspections, conducted by on-site shelter staff, focus on criminal activity, the presence of firearms, drugs, and other safety concerns. The arrest of Leonardo Andujar Sanchez, in possession of a firearm and fentanyl, highlights these issues.
Republican Concerns
Republican leaders express dissatisfaction with Governor Healey’s responses. They argue that current measures do not adequately address the severity of the situation. Massachusetts GOP Chair Amy Carnevale strongly criticizes the administration’s approach, calling it a “state-funded humanitarian crisis” and urging reforms to the Right-to-Shelter law. Carnevale warned, “I can’t stress enough that what’s happening in these migrant shelters is worse than anyone could ever imagine, and it’s been going on unabated for years.”
“This is a huge failure, and it’s happening with massive amounts of taxpayer money. The state is clearly failing to provide a safe environment for these migrants,” said Jessica Vaughan, of the Center for Immigration Studies.
State Sen. Peter Durant echoes these sentiments, calling for increased transparency regarding inspection outcomes. Despite the inspections, many feel the state’s current policies continue to magnetize illegal migrants, straining resources and jeopardizing community safety.
Healey’s Defense and Future Actions
Governor Healey maintains that the majority of migrants follow rules and many contribute through work, although the state has faced challenges with its immigration policies and federal cooperation. The governor called for federal action on border security to address systemic issues contributing to the shelter crisis. “This further underscores our broken federal immigration system and the urgent need for Congress and the White House to act on a border security bill to prevent criminals from entering our communities,” Healey said.
“His arrest underscores our commitment to work tirelessly to protect our community from those dealing deadly Fentanyl and possessing illegal firearms,” said Chief David Callahan.
The GOP remains insistent that more preventative measures need to be enacted to secure the safety of both migrants and local communities.
Sources:
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14267665/maura-healey-surge-crimes-migrant-housing-shelters-massachusetts.html
- https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/01/09/emergency-shelter-inspections-massachusetts-healey-revere
- https://www.breitbart.com/border/2025/01/09/rampant-crime-in-massachusetts-funded-migrant-shelters-says-state-gop/
- https://nypost.com/2025/01/07/us-news/massachusetts-gov-healey-orders-inspection-of-state-shelters-after-migrant-arrest/