Amid a migrant disaster and whereas the state’s shelters are close to to overrun, the Healey Administration and Biden White House have introduced a plan to assist some new arrivals safe employment.
During the week of Nov. 13, officers from the Department of Homeland Security and the Bay State will host a “work authorization clinic” for migrant households presently dwelling in state-provided housing. The state will organize appointments and transportation to the clinic, to be held in an as-yet-unnamed location in Middlesex County, whereas DHS employees assist eligible households with paperwork.
“We are glad that the Biden-Harris Administration is hosting this clinic with us, which will help process work authorizations as efficiently as possible. Many shelter residents want to work but face significant barriers to getting their work authorizations,” Gov. Maura Healey mentioned in a Monday morning assertion.
According to the Healey Administration, as of Monday there are 7,319 households quickly housed within the state’s shelter system, which might deal with as many as 7,500.
So many have arrived that in August Healey declared a state of emergency existed within the state. The governor has warned that as of Nov. 1, the commonwealth must flip further households looking for shelter away, a declaration that prompted a lawsuit towards her administration for allegedly undermining the state’s proper to shelter regulation.
Many of the sheltered residents are newly arrived to the state and the nation, and a few are barred by federal regulation from legally working for months after their circumstances enter the immigration court docket system. The governor has been pleading with the federal authorities to assist new arrivals get via the system and to work.
“This clinic will be critical for building on the work that our administration has already been leading to connect more migrants with work opportunities, which will help them support their families and move out of emergency shelter into more stable housing options,” she mentioned.
Immigration advocates praised the partnership announcement, but additionally referred to as on each ranges of presidency to do extra.
“It’s time to slash the red tape and make it easier for new arrivals to obtain work permits so they can provide for themselves and their families in the long term,” Elizabeth Sweet, the manager director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, mentioned in an announcement.
“Beyond this clinic, we urge Healey and Biden administrations to partner so we may ease work access for the thousands of arrivals in Massachusetts eager to utilize their knowledge and skills to contribute to the state’s economy,” she continued.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”