BOSTON – January 16, 2025 – Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey delivered her State of the Commonwealth address at the State House on Thursday, highlighting her administration’s achievements and outlining ambitious plans for the year ahead.
While celebrating progress in health, education, and transportation, Governor Healey briefly addressed the immigration and housing crises currently straining the state.
Without delving into specifics, she acknowledged the significant challenges posed by “the massive influx of people into our emergency shelter system,” which she attributed to “the failure of federal border controls and a nationwide housing crisis.”
The surge in immigrant families seeking shelter has put substantial pressure on Massachusetts’ resources, Healey said, while promising decisive action to alleviate costs. “We have given, and will continue to give, priority to Massachusetts families. In 2025, we will move families out of hotels for good. We will work with the legislature to reform this system. Massachusetts taxpayers cannot and should not bear the cost,” she stated.
Healey called on the federal government to take urgent action to address the immigration crisis at the border, which she argued would help reduce migration to Massachusetts. “The federal government must address the problem at its source by passing a border security bill,” she added.
Despite these challenges, the Healey administration has made strides, including facilitating work authorizations for over 6,000 shelter residents and securing thousands of job placements. In the past year, more than 4,500 families have exited the shelter system, including 430 since August 1, 2024. Healey emphasized the need for a federal solution to tackle the root causes of the crisis, urging Congress to act without delay.
The governor has recently faced criticism from conservatives following incidents involving undocumented immigrants committing crimes in temporary shelters.
Since Donald Trump’s re-election, Healey appears to have taken a tougher stance on immigration. In an interview with a local news outlet, she stated that Massachusetts is not a sanctuary state.
In her address, Healey reaffirmed her commitment to collaborating with the federal government on immigration issues, provided it aligns with Massachusetts’ interests. “Anyone who commits violent acts must be held accountable and deported,” she asserted. “But immigrant families who live here, work here, pay taxes here, and raise their children here deserve a path to stability. Congress and the new administration must act, and act without delay,” she concluded.