Massachusetts deploys 250 National Guard members to shelters set up due to massive influx of migrants

EFE

Massachusetts Governor took the decision on Thursday to mobilize up to 250 members of the state's National Guard to provide assistance in shelters and hotels as the state faces a growing influx of migrants.

This action comes after the governor had declared a state of emergency several weeks ago due to resource shortages in the shelter system.

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Democratic Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey emphasized the need to address the situation, stating: "Massachusetts is in a state of emergency, and we need everyone to come together to meet this moment and ensure that families have access to safe shelter and essential services."

Currently, around six thousand families, including pregnant women and children, are housed in emergency shelters in Massachusetts.

The participation of the National Guard aims to ensure that emergency needs such as food, transportation, healthcare, and education are met in state shelters while a permanent solution is sought by the state government.

Last week, Governor Healey and her team held a meeting with Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to discuss the increase in the number of migrant families arriving in Massachusetts, as well as to request expedited work permits for newcomers.

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The city of Boston recently received a $1.9 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist migrants with accommodation and transportation.

In total, more than 20,000 people, including many migrants, are housed in state shelters. Many of these migrants arrive by plane from other states, which coincides with a crisis in the real estate sector.