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Above, sign of former Best Western in Franklin leased for migrant housing.
Line item 4003-0124 in Section 2 and 3 of the FY2026 state budget tasks ORI with distributing $500,000 in taxpayer dollars to provide "legal assistance in a single consultation or ongoing legal representation and all legal advice, advocacy and related assistance" to immigrants without specifying whether or not they have legal status or face deportation. (Ways & Means Final Budget, Section 2 & 3, Page 78, 4/10/25)
In February, Democratic lawmakers introduced H.1954 to provide taxpayer-funded legal services to illegal immigrants facing deportation. (MA Legislature, 2/27/25)
Rep. Rogers, a sponsor of H.1954, called his bill "crucial" in a newsletter to supporters. (Dave Rogers for Rep, February 2025)
The state's contingent of Republicans isn't happy, issuing a statement criticizing the whole process:
On Tuesday, State House Democrats passed a $5 million provision in the FY26 budget setting aside $5 million for the implementation of an "immigration legal services program" curiously similar to one filed earlier this year that would provide illegal immigrants facing deportation with taxpayer-funded defense lawyers.
The line item, rolled into Section 2 and 3 of the House Ways and Means Budget and presented by Chair Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston) earlier this month, would allocate an additional $500,000 to the state Office of Refugees of Immigrants (ORI) to dispense grants to "designated non-profit organizations to increase access legal representation for immigrants and refugees in the commonwealth, including, but not limited to, legal assistance in a single consultation or ongoing legal representation and all legal advice, advocacy and related assistance."
In February, Democratic Reps. David Rogers (D-Cambridge) and Frank Moran (D-Lawrence) presented standalone legislation that would give additional funds to ORI so that it may "grant funds to qualified immigration legal service providers and the nonprofit organizations and law firms who employ them to provide no-cost legal defense to eligible low-income immigrants." No dollar amount was presented at the time.
In Rogers's own words, given the presence of federal authorities arresting dangerous illegal immigrants in Massachusetts "it is all the more crucial to protect the rights of those who arrive in this country looking to build a better life."
The MassGOP went on the state that the party 'vigorously opposes this provision and thanks Rep. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica) and the entire Republican House caucus for bringing it to the attention of the public."
“It is unconscionable that taxpayers will be forced to pay the legal bills for illegal immigrants facing removal orders. Beacon Hill Democrats have gone so far left that they simply don’t represent the hardworking taxpayers anymore. This line item makes this budget vote an easy ‘No,'" said Rep. Lombardo.
Meanwhile....Contrarian Boston Says Migrants are Bumping Locals off Housing Rolls
In a report earlier this week, editor Scott Van Voorhis noted that the shelter system has been budgeted for a billion dollars in the current year and within that is a program called HomeBASE which give up to $30,000 in rental assistance over a two year period to its beneficiaries. But despite repeated requests to the Administration, Van Voorhis was unable to get an answer as to how many beneficiaries are migrants versus residents.
It's been almost a month with no clarification.
However, Van Voorhis did get ahold of an email from someone at a Lowell non-profit seeing housing funds from HomeBASE for 200 families, noting that “many are immigrants who have come to the United States to pursue their version of the American dream.”
