Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced that a migrant shelter at the Melnea A. Cass Recreational Complex in the city’s Roxbury neighborhood has quickly reached its 400-person capacity. The overflow site for migrant families opened just over a week ago and has already been filled with migrants seeking shelter. This temporary spot was converted from a community center on January 31, prompting concerns from local residents about the impact on their community.
Mayor Wu acknowledged the concerns raised by the community, emphasizing that the shelter is a temporary solution. She stated, “I think the state heard loud and clear that the pool is necessary for the community, for all the multi-generational activity that happens in the neighborhood.” The closure of the Melnea A. Cass Recreation Complex to Roxbury residents has caused frustration among local residents who feel displaced by the governor’s decision.
According to Mayor Wu, 75 migrant children have been registered with the Boston Public Schools and are being placed in special “cohorts” to provide them with extra dedicated resources for multilingual learning. However, this approach has faced criticism from community leaders who argue that the burden of hosting migrants is being disproportionately placed on minority areas.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, a Democrat, has committed to closing the shelter by May 31 in response to the backlash from the Roxbury community. Despite the criticism, Governor Healey justified the decision to use the recreation center as a shelter, citing the overwhelming capacity of other housing shelters in the state, including Logan International Airport. Massachusetts, as a right-to-shelter state, is legally obligated to provide shelter for homeless families.
The decision to convert the community center into a migrant shelter has sparked a heated debate in Boston. While some argue that it is a necessary response to the current situation, others feel that the burden is unfairly falling on their community. The issue highlights the challenges faced by local governments in addressing the needs of migrants while also considering the concerns of their constituents.
Digital reached out to Governor Healey’s office for comment but did not receive an immediate response. The situation in Boston continues to develop, and further updates are expected in the coming weeks.
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, a breaking news writer for Digital and Fox Business, contributed to this report. Based in Orlando, Florida, she is a native of Massachusetts. For story tips and ideas, she can be reached at [email protected] or on X: @s_rumpfwhitten. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content.
