Gov. Maura Healey approved a $5 million legal defense fund for immigrants as part of the fiscal year 2026 state budget she signed Friday, a pot of money supporters say helps people fight deportations but critics knock as providing protections to those in the country illegally.
Immigration
Former U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton talks ICE, immigration
Former Marine and U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton calls for a “common-sense approach” to the nation’s immigration issues. And while he encourages commonwealth leaders to “have a seat at the table” in deciding next steps, he thinks unrestrained federal agents, quotas and mass deportations are “un-American.”
Gov. Healey estimates FY25 shelter spending will be slightly lower than initial projections
Gov. Maura Healey’s administration estimates the final tally for how much the state spent on emergency shelters over the last 12 months will come in slightly less than originally anticipated, but costs for the fiscal year that ended Monday are still on track to approach $1 billion.
‘Burlington’s own Guantanamo’: Protesters mark 10th weekly protest of ICE office
BURLINGTON — When they first began protesting at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office at 1000 District Ave. 10 weeks ago, Laurie and Jared Berezin were the only two people demonstrating. Now, as focus on the ICE facility grows amid reports of poor conditions for detainees inside, the Berezins demonstration has grown from just the couple, to about 150 people some weeks, with newcomers joining every “Bearing Witness” demonstration.
Maura Healey pauses some HomeBase rental assistance after massive spike in demand
Gov. Maura Healey’s administration plans to pause some rental assistance to families receiving benefits through the HomeBase program after total caseloads increased by more than fivefold between 2023 and 2025.
Auditor Diana DiZoglio wants to charge thousands for access to shelter audit records
State Auditor Diana DiZoglio wants to charge $2,000 to fulfill a public records request for documents that detail the early stages of an audit into the state-run shelter system, an inquiry her office’s top lawyer characterized as a “fishing expedition.”
