The escalating costs of addressing the migrant crisis have resurfaced, as disclosed in a recent report by CBS News, unveiling the substantial expenses incurred by Massachusetts in providing meals to migrants. Vendors in the state are charging $16 for breakfast, $17 for lunch, and $31 for dinner per migrant, daily, with the state subsequently passing on these costs to taxpayers.
The cumulative expenditure amounts to $64 per person per day, equating to approximately $450 weekly or $2,000 monthly per individual. For a family of four, this translates to approximately $256 daily, $1,792 weekly, or $7,680 monthly.
These expenditures reflect the considerable financial burden being shouldered by taxpayers. Comparatively, the costs of meals for migrants far exceed what many taxpayers allocate for their own sustenance. While one can order dinner for a family of four for approximately $50, taxpayers are allocating roughly $124 for dinner alone, more than double what they spend on themselves.
Considering the possibility of migrant families availing themselves of this benefit for a full year, the state’s outlay could surpass $92,000 per family, without factoring in additional expenses such as healthcare, accommodation, and education, all mandated by state law. Despite Massachusetts boasting one of the highest median family incomes nationwide, approximately $89,000, this sum falls short of covering the current food costs for newly arrived migrants.
The burden falls squarely on Massachusetts taxpayers, exacerbated by the state House’s approach of merely allocating taxpayer funds to address the issue, without addressing the underlying policy shortcomings. While taxpayers shoulder the financial strain, Beacon Hill politicians appear indifferent to the urgent need for policy reforms to mitigate the crisis.
These revelations solely pertain to food costs and do not encompass the significant expenditures incurred under the “right to shelter” law benefit, which is anticipated to exceed $1 billion annually. Serving as the sole state offering this entitlement, Massachusetts permits any migrant to access taxpayer-funded shelter upon arrival, further adding to the financial strain.