A former director of a shelter in Massachusetts has voiced concerns regarding the state’s right-to-shelter laws, criticizing the lack of vetting processes for illegal immigrants exploiting the laws and the strain on state resources. Jon Fetherston, who managed the Marlborough Holiday Inn shelter, claims the influx of illegal immigrants has overwhelmed state infrastructure.
Massachusetts has spent approximately $1.1 billion this fiscal year to accommodate migrants, often utilizing hotels as makeshift shelters. This situation, Fetherston argues, has left some local citizens without access to these facilities.
Established in 1983, Massachusetts’ right-to-shelter law mandates housing for displaced families and pregnant women. Despite reaching capacity in 2023, these shelters continue to serve a growing number of illegal immigrant families. Fetherston has reported instances of violence within these facilities and criticized the lack of repercussions for offenders.
He expressed particular concern following the arrest of one Leonardo Andujar Sanchez, who allegedly possessed drugs and a firearm while residing in a state-subsidized room. The state’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities claims to conduct security checks regularly, though Fetherston says he did not witness this during his tenure.
“I worked in that shelter for a very limited time,” Fetherston said in a recent interview. He continued: “You can’t hide an AR-15 in that room. You cannot hide drugs in that room. The rooms are not big… the case manager there should have been standing up… there should have been red flags… to say ‘Hey, listen, this guy’s not attending those meetings. This guy is blowing off housekeeping.'”
Governor Maura Healey (D-MA) has called for increased vetting to ensure that emergency shelter occupants reside legally in the U.S. Fetherston, however, questions the feasibility of this plan, particularly without proper identification. He has recounted having to deny shelter to American citizens, including veterans, due to illegal immigrants.
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