Gov. Charlie Baker wrote a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on Monday, urging the Biden administration to do extra to assist states like Massachusetts assist migrants searching for asylum and arriving from nations like Haiti.
The governor took concern with what he described as a bifurcated system that provides extra assets and assist to immigrants arriving from locations like Afghanistan and Ukraine than Haiti and Cuba, and makes it tough for them to acquire permits to legally go to work.
“Massachusetts is proud to welcome individuals and families seeking asylum and refuge and is dedicated to helping families live with dignity, but additional federal support is required,” Baker wrote.
The administration has been underneath fireplace just lately for its transfer to relocate migrants arriving within the state to inns in Plymouth and Kingston because the shelter system has develop into overwhelmed and the state is unable to completely serve all new arrivals.
Massachusetts resettlement companies served a complete of 4,334 people within the federal fiscal yr 2022, together with over 2,000 Afghan humanitarian parolees, 822 Cuban and Haitian entrants, and 548 refugees, in line with Baker. Another 133 immigrant households have sought shelter from July 2022 to now.
Baker requested Mayorkas and Becerra to expedite the issuance of labor permits in order that asylum-seekers and new arrivals can assist their households and contribute to the financial system.
He additionally stated the federal authorities ought to degree the enjoying area for brand new arrivals from all nations and underneath all circumstances in order that all of them have entry to the identical federal applications and the state can correctly assist their resettlement.
– Matt Murphy / SHNS
Source: www.bostonherald.com”