UMass Amherst/WCVB Poll Finds Massachusetts Residents Support ‘Right to Shelter’ Law and State Immigration Policies

In spite of the cost, a new University of Massachusetts Amherst/WCVB Poll has found that more than six in 10 Massachusetts residents continue to support the “right to shelter” law, though respondents support limiting the capacity of the state shelter system and the maximum time during which individuals can reside in them.

“With the state poised to spend $1 billion this year on its one-of-a-kind shelter system in support of more than 23,000 people – including homeless families with children, pregnant woman, and migrant families – and little relief offered by the federal government to address what many have deemed the state’s migrant crisis, many would have assumed that the tides of public opinion would have significantly shifted since last year with a marked number of residents of the Bay State expressing opposition to the ‘right to shelter,’” says Tatishe Nteta, provost professor of political science at UMass Amherst and director of the poll. “Yet, we find little evidence that this is the case, with support only dipping from 63% to 61% since last October.”

Nteta explains that, “While expensive, the right to shelter remains a popular policy in the commonwealth with majorities of demographic and political groups – with the exception of conservatives, Republicans and Trump voters – expressing majoritarian or near majoritarian support for the policy. It remains to be seen whether this public support wanes in the coming months as immigration becomes the centerpiece of the 2024 presidential election and the state continues to grapple with a growth in the number of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants, but for now the policy remains a popular solution to the growth in migrant families in the commonwealth.”

The survey also found support among respondents for measures that could safeguard the continuation of the shelter policy, especially in light of increased immigration to the Bay State.

“As the number of migrants coming to the state continues to grow and the cost of ensuring a ‘right to shelter’ skyrockets, Gov. Maura Healey and the Massachusetts State Legislature have recently responded by passing legislation that addresses the growing concerns about the state’s commitment to providing food and shelter to these vulnerable communities,” Nteta says. “Our results suggest that these policies are popular among the public, with a plurality (39%) supporting limiting the shelter system to 7,500 families, half of residents (50%) supporting a limit on the time in the shelter system, and close to six in ten (57%) in favor of the provision of assistance in finding migrants, asylum seekers and refugees work permits. It is unclear whether these policies will achieve the goals of slowing down the number of migrants coming to the state and lowering costs of the shelter system, but with these policies the state’s political leaders have responded to the public’s call to address the problem of immigration to the Bay State.”

In assigning responsibility for the migration crisis affecting Massachusetts, Nteta says that the poll clearly shows respondents point their fingers south to the nation’s capital.

“The current session of the U.S. Congress, rife with partisan and ideological conflict, is poised to be the least productive in modern history,” Nteta says. “So, it comes as no surprise that efforts to address the influx of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees coming to the United States and the increasing strain that these newcomers have placed on localities and states have repeatedly failed in the Congress. Residents of the commonwealth are paying attention and are holding Congressional Republicans, the party in control of the U.S. House and the party most reticent to compromise on immigration reform, responsible for the migrant crisis in the state.”

Those saying Congressional Republicans are responsible for the deadlock on immigration have increased from 24% to 29% since the UMass Amherst/WCVP Poll surveyed the issue last October, while those blaming President Joe Biden have decreased from 29% to 27%.

“Since the beginning of the so-called migrant crisis, leaders on Beacon Hill from Senate President Karen Spilka to House Speaker Ronald Mariano to Gov. Healey have made the case that the growing number of migrant families in the commonwealth and the increasing cost of the shelter system is a reflection of a failure by federal officials – most notably the U.S. Congress and the Biden administration – to pass comprehensive immigration reform that addresses the record number of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees seeking admission to the U.S. at the Southern border,” Nteta says. “Residents in the Bay State have heard these messages loud and clear and identify Congressional Republicans and President Joe Biden as the two most responsible for the current situation in the Bay State. With little indication that Congress will take up the issue of immigration before the 2024 election and President Biden poised to announce his executive action on immigration, in the coming months Congressional Republicans may emerge as the central culprit in the continuation of the migrant crisis.”

College Protests and Views on Higher Education

The new UMass Amherst/WCVB Poll also surveyed Massachusetts residents about an issue that has captured headlines since last fall – the protests on college campuses against Israel’s retaliation in Gaza for Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks.

“It is no surprise for a state with so many universities and colleges that Massachusetts residents have been paying attention to campus protests related to the Israeli-Hamas war – 4 in 5 voters say they have read, seen or heard about the protests,” says Raymond La Raja, professor of political science at UMass Amherst and co-director of the poll. “Roughly one-third of the poll’s respondents, 32%, support the protests on campus, while 35% oppose them and 32% did not take any position. The biggest supporters are self-identified liberals – 54% of them support the protests compared to just 21% of moderates and 15% of conservatives.”

The poll found less support for the protestors’ demands, including divestment from companies doing business with Israel and ending study abroad programs with Israeli universities.

“Commonwealth residents are divided on whether Israel should face sanctions,” La Raja says. “One-quarter of them want universities to end student study abroad programs in Israel and 29% support cutting financial ties with companies doing business versus a plurality of voters, 37%, who are opposed to both potential sanctions. The sentiments for imposing sanctions are held most strongly by self-identified liberal voters.”