from
https://www.wionews.com/world/us-massachusetts-declares-state-of-emergency-as-migrants-aggravate-housing-crisis-623732

US: Massachusetts declares state of emergency amid massive influx of
migrants
Massachusetts, USAEdited By: Vikrant SinghUpdated: Aug 09, 2023, 02:16
PM IST

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey Photograph:(Twitter)

FOLLOW US
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
A new initiative has been introduced by the state to establish a migrant
relief fund aimed at raising funds to provide assistance to migrants.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has declared a state emergency after
she found her state overwhelmed with a massive influx of migrants.

The move came on Tuesday (August 8) amid mounting pressure from
conservative groups and the aggravating house crisis.

Associated Press (AP) reported that the state shelters were stressed as
5,600 migrant families or 20,000 people, have arrived in Massachusetts.
This is 80 per cent higher than just 3,100 families a year ago.

The migrants include children, pregnant women as well as infants. Healey
informed that around 50 migrant families have arrived in the state
shelters in the past 48 hours alone, further stretching the state’s
shelter infrastructure.

“It's exponentially more than our state has ever served in our emergency
assistance programme,” Gov. Maura Healey was quoted as saying by AP.

Watch: Gravitas: Controversial U.S. Immigration policy Title 42 ends
×
It must be noted that Massachusetts is legally bound to provide shelter
to immigrants under its so-called right-to-shelter policy.

Gov. Healey calls on federal govt for help
The governor has now appealed for financial help from the federal
government. She has also vowed to make efforts towards faster work
authorisations so that immigrant families can quickly find jobs and
become independent of state shelters.

“Our new arrivals are most eager to work. The last thing they want is to
be dependent,” the governor wrote in a letter to the US Secretary of
Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.

Also read: Firefighters set pallets on fire during Independence Day
celebrations in Massachusetts

She has also called on local non-governmental organisations to step up
efforts to assist those seeking shelter.

State launches migrant relief fund
Additionally, a new initiative has been introduced by the state to
establish a migrant relief fund aimed at raising funds to provide
assistance to migrants.

The contributions collected will be allocated to cover a wide spectrum
of necessities and services for migrants. These include provisions such
as food, clothing, diapers, and transportation, as well as essential
services like health screenings, translation assistance, legal guidance,
and English language classes.

Conservative groups in attacking mode
Paul Diego Craney, representing the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, a
conservative group, called on Gov. Healey and state legislators to
revoke the state's right-to-shelter policy.

“Perhaps it is time for the governor to take a trip to the southern
border to see firsthand the open southern border crisis,” he said in a
statement.

Geoff Beckwith, the executive director of the Massachusetts Municipal
Association, highlighted that over 80 cities and towns within the state
have already experienced the impact of incoming migrants and have shown
support for the emergency declaration.

(With inputs from agencies)