Massachusetts Republicans have formally requested information from the state government regarding what they allege to be “$1 billion in secret migrant crisis spending.”
As the state grapples with a growing number of migrants, the Massachusetts Republican Party (MassGOP) is demanding transparency from Governor Maura Healey’s administration on the financial burden this crisis is placing on residents.
In a public statement, MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale criticized the Healey-Driscoll administration for what she described as a lack of transparency in handling nearly $1 billion in state funds related to the migrant crisis. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration has shrouded nearly $1 billion spent in secrecy, leaving Massachusetts residents in the dark,” Carnevale stated.
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She further alleged that the administration has withheld critical information about 600 incidents involving police, fire, and EMT services related to the migrant situation and accused the administration of obstructing journalists from accessing information.
To address these concerns, MassGOP has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, seeking detailed information on the state’s expenditures for migrant housing.
Specifically, Carnevale has asked for the names of government and private entities involved in providing emergency housing for migrants, the locations of these housing facilities, any correspondence relating to public safety concerns, and incident or police reports associated with the migrant crisis.
Carnevale argues that the Democratic supermajority in Massachusetts has created what she describes as a “veil of secrecy” around the state’s response to the migrant crisis. “Today, the Massachusetts Republican Party is standing against the veil of secrecy and the obstructionist efforts of the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Democratic supermajority,” Carnevale asserted.
She also expressed solidarity with the Massachusetts press corps in their efforts to demand transparency, stating, “The public deserves transparency. Release the details on the vendors profiting from this crisis and the public safety issues affecting our communities.”
The request from MassGOP follows a report released on July 24 by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), which warned that Massachusetts would likely face significant challenges in managing the increasing number of migrants arriving in the state.
The report highlighted that Massachusetts has already spent over $1 billion on its Emergency Assistance sheltering program, which provides housing for migrants.
Jessica Vaughan, CIS’s director of policy studies, authored the report and noted that while the current costs are substantial, they could escalate if the migrants currently in temporary shelters remain in the state long-term.
In addition to the costs associated with temporary housing, the report outlined other significant financial burdens that Massachusetts taxpayers may face, including expenses related to schooling, social services, medical care, and public safety.
The CIS report estimated that approximately 355,000 “illegal and inadmissible” migrants currently reside in Massachusetts, with about 50,000 new arrivals since 2021. Of these, 10,000 migrants were reported to be minors, with 8,500 being unaccompanied.
As the debate over the state’s handling of the migrant crisis continues, the MassGOP’s demand for transparency and accountability underscores the growing tensions between the state’s Republican and Democratic leaders.
The outcome of this request, and the response from Governor Healey’s administration, could have significant implications for the state’s policies and financial planning regarding the ongoing migrant crisis.
You can read the full statement from the MassGOP below:
MassGOP Demands Transparency: Unveils FOIA Requests to Expose $1 Billion in Secret Migrant Crisis Spending and 600 Public Safety Incidents
August 27, 2024
Boston, MA— On behalf of the residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Republican Party Chair has formally submitted FOIA requests to the Executive Office for Administration & Finance, the Office of the Governor, Legal Counsel, the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and the Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development. These requests seek full disclosure on the vendors involved in the migrant crisis, including their payments, as well as detailed information on the 600 incidents involving police, fire, and medical emergencies in state-funded emergency housing.
Massachusetts Republican Party Chair, Amy Carnevale, released the following statement, “The Healey-Driscoll Administration has shrouded nearly $1 billion dollars spent in secrecy, leaving Massachusetts residents in the dark. They have withheld critical information on 600 incidents involving police, fire, and EMTs. Blocking journalists at every turn, the administration has obstructed the flow of information to the public. This call for transparency is underscored by the efforts of Senator Tarr and the Senate GOP caucus, who proposed an amendment to the Senate budget requiring all services for the emergency shelter system to be subject to competitive bidding and posted on Open Checkbook. This amendment, aimed at ensuring accountability and efficiency, was unfortunately blocked by the Democratic supermajority. Similar efforts were proposed by the House GOP caucus but were also blocked.”
“Today, the Massachusetts Republican Party is standing against the veil of secrecy and the obstructionist efforts of the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Democratic supermajority. We stand with the Massachusetts press corps in declaring: enough is enough. The public deserves transparency. Release the details on the vendors profiting from this crisis and the public safety issues affecting our communities. On behalf of Massachusetts residents, we are demanding accountability,” Carnevale concluded.
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