Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has made an appeal to the federal government to speed up the process to authorize migrants for work.
FRAMINGHAM - Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has made an appeal to the federal government to speed up the process to authorize migrants for work, as the state continues to manage an influx of people from outside of the United States.
State officials recently appealed to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), citing both the local refugee crisis and ongoing workforce shortages. In a letter addressed to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Healey advocated for changes that would allow more migrants to be authorized to work and for more assistance for emergency shelters across the Commonwealth.
This comes as Framingham continues to be impacted by the increase in the refugee population. Most of the people being sheltered in a trio of hotels within the city are from Haiti. Multiple organizations have been working in conjunction with Mayor Charlie Sisitsky in order to secure vital resources like food and clothing for more than 50 families in Framingham.
Healey had previously declared a state of emergency on the matter, as up to 250 National Guard members are eligible to be activated to help at emergency hotel sites within Massachusetts.
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Local school leaders are progressing through a feasibility study to develop a plan for a new elementary school along Bethany Road, which would replace Hemenway Elementary. The company brought on board for the process estimates that construction could begin in September 2028.
About 23% of registered Framingham voters cast a ballot in 2025. Charlie Sisitsky defeated Geoff Epstein to win another term as mayor, while John Stefanini and Mary Kate Feeney won in their respective City Council races. Brandon Ward and Michael Cannon were reelected to the local legislative board, while Lorena Tovar and Brent Lewis were victorious in their School Committee bids. Changes to the city's Home Rule Charter received overwhelming support as well.
November’s funding for the food program—otherwise known as food stamps—remains uncertain amid the federal government shutdown. In turn, organizations such as Daniel’s Table are experiencing a rise in demand.
