Residents in a Boston neighborhood express discontent after Gov. Maura Healey (D-MA) mandated the use of the Melnea A. Cass Recreational Complex in Roxbury, a popular sports facility, to accommodate the state’s increasing influx of immigrants.
Healey announced the facility’s conversion into a shelter during a press conference on Wednesday, citing the continuous arrival of families into Massachusetts. Roxbury residents, predominantly from a Black community, aired their grievances in a virtual community forum, questioning why their cherished recreational center had to bear the impact of the state’s migrant crisis.
At the community forum, residents voiced frustration, expressing concerns about the impact on Roxbury’s children and questioning the allocation of resources. The Roxbury facility becomes the fourth “safety-net site” for immigrants in Massachusetts awaiting placement in the state’s shelter system.
Traditional shelters in the state have reached capacity, leading to overflow utilization of waiting rooms in hospitals and church halls. Massachusetts currently houses 1,000 immigrants, a situation exacerbated by Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) bussing immigrants to blue states, including Massachusetts.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu remarked on the proposal, emphasizing the painful familiarity for Roxbury, a community that has faced historical challenges such as disinvestment and redlining. She highlighted the significance of taking offline beloved community buildings dedicated to programs during the current crisis. Gov. Healey assured residents that the facility would reopen to the public by June but acknowledged uncertainties about programs displaced by the decision.
As per the latest report, the migrant crisis has incurred a cost of $325 million for Massachusetts, with state officials estimating the potential expenditure to reach nearly $1 billion this year. The move to repurpose the recreational complex reflects the broader challenges faced by states grappling with the impact of increased immigration.