Migrant Families Can No Longer Sleep at Boston's Logan Airport

BOSTON, MA — As of Tuesday, migrant families are no longer allowed to sleep overnight in Logan Airport, according to the Healey-Driscoll administration.

"This decision comes as a result of the administration’s recent efforts to open a new safety-net site, move more families out of shelter, and share a message at the U.S. southern border that Massachusetts is out of shelter space," the administration said with the announcement last month.

Those who have been sleeping at Logan Airport who are on the Emergency Assistance shelter waitlist will be offered transfers to the state's new safety-net system, including in Norfolk, which can accommodate up to 140 families at full capacity.

"Eligible families will continue to be placed in other safety-net and shelter sites as units become available," offiials added. "Staff on site at Logan will work with families to inform them of this new policy and their options, including helping them secure transportation to another location where they have family or another option for a safe place to stay."

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Emergency Assistance Director Scott Rice said that the move "is in the best interest of families and travelers and staff at Logan, as the airport is not an appropriate place for people to seek shelter."

"We are going to continue to spread the word that Massachusetts is out of shelter space and that, if families are traveling to Massachusetts, they need to be prepared with a plan for housing that does not include Logan Airport or our Emergency Assistance shelters," Rice added.

The administration said it has also recently increased efforts to provide families experiencing homelessness with housing assistance, work authorization applications, job placements, English classes, and reticketing options.

"As a result of these efforts, the number of families leaving shelters has steadily increased over the past few months, with more than 300 families leaving in May – the highest number in years," according to the administration. "These numbers are expected to increase as the administration implements the nine-month length of stay limit for EA shelters, which was passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Healey."