A report by the Center for Immigration Studies predicts that Massachusetts taxpayers will pay $1.8 billion over the next two years to address the surge in migrants.
The influx of migrants into Massachusetts is placing a significant financial burden on the state, with taxpayers projected to spend $1.8 billion over the next two years, according to a new report by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS).
The report, released on July 24, warns that The Bay State will face challenges in managing the growing number of migrants arriving in the state. "The cost to Massachusetts taxpayers of temporary housing and shelters is enormous, but it pales in comparison to the costs that will accumulate in the future if those in the temporary shelters today remain in the Commonwealth for the long term," CIS director of policy studies Jessica Vaughan wrote.
Massachusetts Faces Fiscal Crisis Due to Migrant Surge
In addition to housing costs, taxpayers will also have to cover expenses for schooling, social services, medical care, and public safety.
Migrants in Massachusetts are eligible for certain welfare programs, including food stamps, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, and other public services. They can access these programs even though the federal government prohibits such access.
Massachusetts Faces Fiscal Crisis Due to Migrant Surge
According to the report, the state has already spent over $1 billion on the Emergency Assistance (EA) sheltering program that houses migrants. Budget officials estimate that they will need to spend another $1.8 billion in the next two years.
To manage the influx of migrants, Governor Maura Healey has had to place restrictions on shelter programs to prioritize state residents.
Massachusetts Faces Fiscal Crisis Due to Migrant Surge
The CIS report estimates that approximately 355,000 "illegal and inadmissible" migrants live in Massachusetts, with 50,000 new arrivals since 2021. Of those new arrivals, 10,000 are minors, with 8,500 being unaccompanied.
While migrants tend to have high labor force participation rates, they often face a language barrier and may lack the education or skills needed to be self-sufficient in Massachusetts. A separate report by MassInc and UMass Donahue found that over 450,000 Massachusetts residents have limited English-language proficiency, making up approximately 10% of the state's workforce.
Massachusetts Faces Fiscal Crisis Due to Migrant Surge
In response to the surge in migrants, Healey announced that she has sent members of her administration to the Texas border to educate migrants about the lack of shelter availability in Massachusetts.
The CIS study highlights the growing fiscal burden that the migrant crisis is placing on Massachusetts. The state will need to find ways to address the needs of these migrants while also protecting the interests of its residents.
