Governor Healey Risks Massachusetts Economy
Gov. Healey said last week that her administration would not cooperate with federal authorities looking to conduct mass deportations of undocumented immigrants once President-elect Donald Trump takes office. The governors of several other states, California, Illinois, New York, Washington, and Michigan have also made similar statements.
President Trump campaigned on a platform vowing to deport the millions of illegal immigrants that have entered the country, oversee “largest deportation effort in American history,” and has appointed former ICE acting director Tom Homan, to lead this effort. The proposed plan would be done in phases with the first phase being to deport all illegal alien criminals from the country.
Gov. Healey has said that State Police would not be used to deport migrants, and vowed to use “every tool in the toolbox” to counter this deportation effort. She has stated that she would use the state’s regulatory authority, her executive powers, and state legislation to resist the deportation effort.
This means the state would be protecting illegal alien criminals, since phase one of the proposed program will be targeting them, i.e. protecting public safety threats. For example, a recent report by Fox News reporter Bill Melugin, has detailed the large number of illegal alien child predators that are resident in Massachusetts.
Tom Homan responded that he will accomplish the job he has been assigned to do. Exactly how he will counter these resistance efforts is not determined at this point. However, three possibilities have been mentioned. These are:
a) arrest of the Governor and others who resist the deportation efforts;
i.) it is unlikely that arrests can be made because of policy. The Governor would need to take an action, like an order, to be arrested
b) use overwhelming numbers of ICE agents to neutralize resistance efforts;
i.) it is unlikely that the State police would interfere with the deportation of criminal illegal aliens
c) deny all federal funding to the state, funds for roads, schools, welfare etc.
i.) Funding for schools, roads, churches etc would be withheld
Governor Healy has said that Massachusetts is willing to weather the four-year period without federal funding support. This is troubling because it will have enormous impact on the state’s economy which is already suffering from revenue shortfalls. For example, in October 2024, the state revenue was$86 million less than was projected (this has happened repeatedly this fiscal year). There are three possible outcomes resulting from the withholding of federal funds; a) deterioration of our infrastructure; b) increase taxes to cover the shortfall; c) increase the state debt.
Recently, Governor Healey has tempered her comments by stating she thinks “state and local officials should cooperate in deporting migrants accused of violent crimes”.
This is an ongoing story whose impact will be felt in early 2025.
Governor Healey’s Press Conference:
Massachusetts Gov. Healey addresses Trump losses and voter concerns
Boston Herald November 8, 2024
Healey says Massachusetts will not comply with mass deportations
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