Brendan Fitzpatrick
Sep 5
News

National Guard Activated for Statewide Migrant Shelter Sites

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey recently activated upwards of 250 members of the National Guard to assist at emergency hotel sites sheltering migrant families across the Commonwealth.

Alexius Horatius, Creative Commons

BOSTON - Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey recently activated upwards of 250 members of the National Guard to assist at emergency hotel sites sheltering migrant families across the Commonwealth.

State officials said over 6,000 families have been placed in emergency shelters statewide, as Healey declared a state of emergency on the matter in August. The emergency declaration also came with pleas to the federal government for additional assistance; FEMA recently provided close to $2 million to the state and the City of Boston.

Healey said the National Guard order is a decision aimed at providing more services and care for those being sheltered.

Healey’s latest move comes while Framingham continues to see an uptick in refugees. Multiple local hotels have been housing the migrants, most of which are Haitian. Mayor Charlie Sisitsky said the city has been working with organizations such as the Framingham Interfaith Clergy Association to collect essentials like food, baby formula, and clothing for over 50 families. The Community Foundation for MetroWest has been accepting donations for the Framingham Emergency Relief Fund as well.

The Healey administration declined to disclose specifically where the National Guard members were being deployed to.

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