A recent analysis has highlighted the potential financial burden of the migrant crisis on Massachusetts residents, with projections indicating the state could incur expenses of $1.8 billion over the next two years, potentially creating a “fiscal time bomb.”
The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) published a report on July 24, forecasting that Massachusetts will face challenges managing the influx of migrants.
“The financial impact on Massachusetts taxpayers for temporary housing and shelters is significant; however, it is minor compared to the long-term costs that will arise if those currently in temporary shelters remain in the Commonwealth,” stated Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at CIS.
According to a new report published in July, Massachusetts taxpayers may be responsible for $1.8 billion in expenses related to the migrant crisis. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
In addition to housing expenses, taxpayers will also bear costs related to education, social services, healthcare, and public safety.
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These migrants qualify for various welfare programs in Massachusetts, such as food stamps from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, and several other public services. They can access these programs despite federal prohibitions on such benefits.
The report indicates that the state has already allocated over $1 billion towards the Emergency Assistance (EA) sheltering program for migrants.
Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts announced that the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home will be repurposed as a migrant shelter. (Adam Glanzman/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Google Maps/Screenshot)
The report reveals that some of the migrants utilizing the Emergency Assistance program “arrived under one of the Biden administration’s controversial parole initiatives.”
“Moreover, state budget officials predict they will incur an additional $1.8 billion in expenses over the next two years,” the report elaborated.
To effectively manage the increasing migrant population, Governor Maura Healey, a Democrat, has implemented restrictions on shelter programs to give priority to state residents.
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The report estimates that there are around 355,000 “illegal and inadmissible” migrants residing in Massachusetts, with 50,000 new arrivals since 2021. It also mentions that 10,000 of the migrants are minors, with 8,500 being unaccompanied.
While migrants typically have high participation rates in the labor force, the new arrivals encounter significant language barriers. The report indicates that these individuals may “lack the education or skills required for an individual or family to achieve self-sufficiency in Massachusetts.”
An independent report by MassInc and UMass Donahue has determined that more than 450,000 residents of Massachusetts possess limited English-speaking abilities, constituting roughly 10% of the state’s workforce. This figure could underrepresent the actual numbers, as it derives from 2022 Census estimates.
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Boston, MA – January 31: A worker navigates through over 300 Army cots set up on the gym floor as state and local officials inspected the Melnea A. Cass Recreational Complex, which will accommodate more than 300 migrants. (John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Governor Healey disclosed last month that officials from her administration were dispatched to the Texas border due to “record” numbers of migrants arriving in Boston.
Authorities plan to engage with federal agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and migrant families to inform them about the ongoing lack of shelter options in Massachusetts.
Healey’s office did not provide immediate comments on the CIS study.
