Massachusetts is taking drastic measures to address shelter overcrowding by offering plane tickets to illegal aliens willing to relocate. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) announced that starting next month, the state’s overflow shelters will limit stays to five days. After this period, the state will cover travel expenses for those willing to leave. The move comes as the state grapples with an influx of illegal aliens, particularly since President Joe Biden’s administration relaxed border controls.
Healey emphasized the urgent need for relief during a recent press conference. “Massachusetts is out of shelter space, and we simply cannot afford the current size of this system,” she said. The new policy will prioritize native-born families, veterans, and those with severe medical conditions for shelter space.
Starting August 1st, four state-run overflow shelters in Cambridge, Chelsea, Lexington, and Norfolk will reduce their 30-day stay limit to just five days. Previously, these shelters allowed for re-application for another 30-day stay. The new five-day limit is a significant shift in policy aimed at mitigating the pressure on the state’s resources.
Governor Healey had previously declared Massachusetts a sanctuary state, expressing support for providing refuge to illegal aliens. In 2017, as Attorney General, she criticized former President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies. However, the current situation has forced a reevaluation of the state’s capacity to house and support a growing number of illegal aliens.
The new policy reflects the state’s struggle to balance its sanctuary commitments with the practical limitations of shelter space and resources. Massachusetts’ approach may serve as a precedent for other states facing similar challenges.
