Pro-invasion resettlement agencies are seeking a new $6 million state appropriation to help pay the rent for refugees and asylees after touting a meeting with Governor Maura Healey and Mayor Michelle Wu on Tuesday.

State Representative David LeBoeuf said refugees and asylees are treated differently but that Massachusetts should treat them as our neighbors so in the future “we can call you a voter also.”

The resettlement funds would assist a pool of 3000-5000 potential refugees without green cards (legal permanent status) according to Jeff Thielman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the International Institute of New England.

Spending on Healey Hotels and associated expenses ran into the billions during the first years of the Healey Administration. But since President Donald Trump closed the border in January 2025, the flow of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers has slowed to a trickle. Healey closed the last of the hotel shelters over the summer of 2025.

The new money would “support direct assistance for housing stabilization during turbulence to prevent refugee, asylees and other legally present populations from entering the shelter system and keep them and their families in their current housing,” according to a statement released by a consortium of refugee resettlement agencies, including Catholic Charities and the Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center.

“Many of the people we serve aren’t even eligible to vote yet,” Thielman reminded the audience.

Back in 2022 LeBoeuf was arrested in Quincy after the House recessed for the evening during the state budget debate. LeBoeuf entered into a plea agreement and lost his license for 45 days (see mug shot below).

State Senator Robin Kennedy of Worcester also spoke at the event. State Representative Michelle Badger of Plymouth attended.