One aspect that often goes unnoticed amidst the turmoil over the border crisis, illegal immigration, and the surge of migrants is the government’s uncanny ability to unearth financial resources when needed. It is taxpayers, bound by the economic consequences of administrative decisions, who are footing the hefty bill for accommodating and nurturing migrants across the nation, a significant fallout of the Biden administration’s policy choices.
Rarely has the government demonstrated such unrelenting effort to explore potential solutions. Consider the broader implications if this level of determination and commitment, seen now to embrace undocumented migrants regardless of the expenditure, was earlier directed towards addressing America’s stark homelessness issue prior to the migrant influx?
The Healey administration took proactive steps in this regard, designating selected communities statewide to establish and administer shelters. They also spearheaded a program in collaboration with immigration organizations designed to extend services to families living within these large-scale shelters.
The implementation of work authorization clinics within emergency family shelters is another admirable move. It was their partnerships that facilitated connections between those residing in shelters and opportunities for job training and skills enhancement. Furthermore, they orchestrated a strategic alliance with regional workforce boards to align the shelter dwellers with suitable employment.
A cross-section of municipalities nationwide have risen to the challenge, offering necessary health care, food, shelter, and services to manage the unexpected swell of migrants. However, long before the adoption of open-border policies attracted millions more, there were individuals in dire need.
Indeed, across the country, there were families without a home, their children attending school each day only to return to a temporary shelter at night. Yet, one may question, where was this large-scale, federally-backed push to aid these citizens in their pursuit of attaining the elusive American dream?
It is apparent that the organizations tirelessly working to link America’s homeless citizens – both individuals and families – with necessary resources would highly appreciate receiving a portion of these ample funds. However, those beset by homelessness without an immigrant background often lack the political leverage required.
This observation provides some rationale for the administration’s considerable efforts to lure prospective immigrants to the U.S, a striking testament to our sociopolitical challenges.
The current predicament offers itself as a crucial learning opportunity. If the political motivation to offer shelter and care to the teeming waves of illegal immigrants can be summoned, then it is also possible to muster such resolve to confront the homelessness crisis that has plagued the nation for years.
It is a belief firmly rooted in the principles of equity and compassion that every individual deserves a home. Furthermore, no child should face the uncertainty of not knowing where they will rest their heads at night, a basic security singles out from any political considerations or the voting preferences of their parents.