Voters Say Trump Did More to Fix Massachusetts Shelter Crisis

Massachusetts voters don't think much about President Donald Trump's immigration policies, but they do credit him with doing more to ease the Massachusetts migrant shelter crisis than Governor Maura Healey.

A recent University of Massachusetts Amherst/WCVB Poll asked, "Who do you believe is most responsible for the decrease in the number of families in the state's shelter system?"

The plurality, 32 percent, said Trump, while 27 percent credited Healey.

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Credit for the decline in families residing in state-funded shelters was also given to the Massachusetts Legislature (19 percent), migrants (13 percent), and Congressional Republicans and Democrats (four percent each).

The Healey administration claims the number of families living in state-funded shelters declined from over 6,000 in January 2025 to 2,300 in October.

Asked whether an estimated 11 million "undocumented immigrants" should be deported out of the United States, 37 percent either strongly or somewhat supported the idea, 44 percent either strongly or somewhat opposed it, and 19 percent were unsure.

Using the military and National Guard to enforce federal immigration laws was strongly or somewhat supported by 32 percent, strongly or somewhat opposed by 54 percent, and 14 percent were unsure.

Allowing illegal immigrants who are living in the United States to become citizens if they meet citizenship requirements and commit no crimes was strongly or somewhat supported by 68 percent, strongly or somewhat opposed by 17 percent, and 16 percent were unsure.

A proposed state law that would prohibit ICE agents from wearing masks while making arrests was strongly or somewhat supported by 59 percent, strongly or somewhat opposed by 29 percent, and 13 percent were unsure.

Healey handled the issues of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers very well or somewhat well, according to 44 percent of poll respondents, while 47 percent said not too well or not well at all, and eight percent were unsure.