Many large cities and their nearby suburbs across the country have struggled with the recent influx of migrants. Leaders of several cities and states have said they are at their capacity, and cannot house or support additional migrants.
A post on X viewed more than 32 million times says: “6 months ago, Massachusetts began to ask residents to host illegals in their homes and properties. Soon it will be mandatory.”
VERIFY reader David sent us the post and asked us to fact-check it.
THE QUESTION
Is Massachusetts proposing a requirement that residents host migrants in their homes?
THE SOURCES
THE ANSWER
No, Massachusetts is not proposing a requirement that residents host migrants in their homes
WHAT WE FOUND
Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll encouraged state residents in August to volunteer to host migrants, who were entering the state in large numbers. But there is no state law, order or proposed bill that would require people to host migrants in their homes.
The viral tweet David sent us included a clip of a press conference in which Driscoll says: “If you have an extra room or suite in your home, please consider hosting a family. Safe housing and shelter is our most pressing need.”
That video was from Aug. 8, the same day Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey declared a state of emergency “due to rapidly rising numbers of migrant families arriving in Massachusetts in need of shelter and services and a severe lack of shelter availability in the state.” That state of emergency remains in effect.
However, there is no requirement or proposed requirement for residents to house migrants. The state’s official webpage for its migrant shelter crisis doesn’t describe any kind of program, order or law requiring people to accept migrants into their private homes.
The state legislature also did not propose or pass a law in 2023 requiring residents to house migrants in their homes, according to the official legislative database.
Healey has not issued any executive orders requiring private citizens to house migrants. Since the Aug. 8 emergency announcement, the Massachusetts Governor’s Office has released no announcement or update suggesting that the state is considering making residents provide shelter to migrants.
The state has encouraged and offered grants to volunteer organizations and faith-based groups to provide shelters to migrants.
Correction: A previous version of this article attributed the quote to Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey. The article has been updated to correctly attribute Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll.
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