An investigation by The Boston Herald reveals that taxpayer-funded EBT cards have been used by Massachusetts welfare recipients in tropical vacation destinations and states thousands of miles away from New England.
Massachusetts taxpayers are footing the bill for migrants to vacation in exotic destinations and travel to far-flung states, a new investigation has revealed.
The Boston Herald obtained public records showing that taxpayer-funded EBT cards have been used in Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, California, Florida, Alaska, and several other locations across the country. Over $3 billion in federal and state dollars were doled out to recipients in the blue state in Fiscal Year 2024.
Massachusetts Taxpayers Funding Migrant Travel to Exotic Destinations and Distant States
In Hawaii, there were 32 charges on EBT cards this year, with the largest expenditure amounting to $378 in March on the island of Maui. Another $351 was spent in Hilo, a popular tourist destination known for its waterfalls and rainforests. Public records also show EBT money was spent in Honolulu, Pearl City, Princeville, Waikoloa, and Captain Cook.
Massachusetts' EBT dollars were also spent in virtually every state in the U.S., including 165 cities and towns in California and 293 locations in Florida. Over a dozen expenditures were recorded in the Virgin Islands and Alaska this year, including a $395 charge in Anchorage.
Massachusetts Taxpayers Funding Migrant Travel to Exotic Destinations and Distant States
Republican state Sen. Ryan Fattman slammed the report's findings as "insanity and government at its worst."
"This makes no sense. It’s insanity and government at its worst," he told The Herald. "What the hell is someone doing in Hawaii? We need this money to help feed families," he said. "This tells me there’s a major problem with this system."
Massachusetts Taxpayers Funding Migrant Travel to Exotic Destinations and Distant States
The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) said that there are restrictions on what EBT funds can be used for, and that usage while traveling must be approved. The DTA also noted that individuals receiving public assistance through the department must have an annual income at least 200 percent below the federal poverty level.
Over $11 billion in food and economic assistance has been given to qualifying residents in the past three fiscal years, according to the Herald report.
Massachusetts Taxpayers Funding Migrant Travel to Exotic Destinations and Distant States
Massachusetts is a sanctuary state that allows migrants access to these welfare programs. An estimated 50,000 illegal immigrants have flocked to the state since 2021. A recent report from The Center for Immigration Studies projected that the state's migrant crisis would cost taxpayers $1.8 billion over the next two years.
Migrants are eligible for food stamps provided by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, and other public services. Migrants can access these programs even while the federal government prohibits access to such programs.
