In Boston, Illegal Migrants Take Precedence over Veterans

What’s happening: Massachusetts Democratic Governor Maura Healy is facing national outrage over her plan to convert the former Chelsea Soldier's Home — which housed veterans — into a shelter for migrant families flooding into the commonwealth.

• Meanwhile, the plan was conceived as 500-600 veterans remain homeless in Massachusetts.

• New rules: Veterans previously paid up to $30 daily to reside at the facility while migrants will pay nothing.

Catch up: Governor Healy declared a state of emergency in August of 2023 in response to the influx of migrants into Massachusetts. The state reached its emergency shelter capacity, causing officials to scramble to find accommodations for illegal migrant families.

• The Army-Navy debacle: Last fall, local hotels canceled the reservations of veterans and active service members prior to the Army-Navy football game in order to house illegal migrants. The hotel management group claimed it was “a privilege to offer [them] a safe haven.”

By the numbers: The cost to run the Massachusetts shelter system is projected to reach a record high of $932 million in FY2024. Simultaneously, Massachusetts tax revenues remain below projections, creating a massive budget deficit just two years after a historic surplus.

Blame game: Reports of migrant crime in Boston are on the rise, and Governor Healy blames Donald Trump and Republicans for their “failure to act” on the recent bipartisan immigration bill.

Why it matters: The influx of illegal migrants in Massachusetts and beyond is draining taxpayers as Democrats continue to prioritize their needs over American citizens, including the nation's heroes.