Massachusetts is facing a severe financial crisis due to its sanctuary state policies, which have resulted in an estimated $1.8 billion in costs to support illegal and inadmissible migrants. This fiscal burden highlights the challenges and consequences of open border policies promoted by the Biden administration and Democratic lawmakers.
Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies at the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), emphasized the financial strain on Massachusetts taxpayers. “These migrants represent a looming fiscal disaster for taxpayers in Massachusetts,” Vaughan told the Daily Mail. She explained that many of the 355,000 migrants in the state, including 50,000 who arrived since 2021, lack the skills and education to avoid becoming a financial burden.
The CIS report reveals that Massachusetts has already spent over $1 billion on emergency shelter systems. In response to the growing numbers, Gov. Maura Healey (D) implemented a five-day cap on overflow shelters and offered travel assistance to relocate willing migrants out of the state.
In addition to shelter costs, the state is incurring significant expenses on welfare programs for migrants. The report estimates that $4.6 million is spent on SNAP benefits for parolees alone. Furthermore, the annual cost of incarcerating illegal alien criminals exceeds $27 million.
Despite the financial strain, Gov. Healey has requested federal assistance to cover these expenses while endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. Healey praised Harris as a candidate who will advocate fiercely for the American people, despite the negative impact of current border policies on her state.
The CIS report compares Massachusetts’ expensive sanctuary policies with the cost-saving measures implemented in states like Florida. Florida’s mandatory E-Verify laws have led to a 50% reduction in emergency medical assistance expenses for illegal immigrants.
To mitigate the financial crisis, CIS suggests several policy changes. These include limiting shelter systems to citizens, requiring local jurisdictions to comply with ICE detainers, and repealing laws that allow illegal aliens to obtain driver’s licenses. These recommendations reflect the public’s growing demand for stricter immigration controls and enhanced border security.
