Hundreds protest Massachusetts' illegal immigrant policies

Hundreds of demonstrators turned out in Boston to protest Massachusetts' right to shelter law, after lawmakers failed to include a provision that would have given priority to homeless veterans over illegal immigrants. 

Demonstrators outside the Massachusetts State House on Saturday held signs opposing current federal border laws and the state policy, according to local outlet WCVB. 

The protest comes after Democratic Gov. Maura Healey signed a bill earlier in the week that sets a nine-month limit on how long families can live in the state's emergency shelters while also approving a plan that would bring total shelter system spending to $826 million for the current fiscal year. 

Protesters were angry that the state House rejected an amendment to the bill that would have given homeless veterans priority for housing over migrants. 

"Democrats killed a GOP-supported provision that would put the housing needs of America’s heroes, especially those who are sleeping on the streets and under bridges, above foreigners who have no business being in our country," conservative talk show host Jeffrey Kuhner said. "It is the ultimate betrayal."

While states are struggling with increased numbers of illegal immigrants, the Migration Policy Institute, a think tank, estimates there are 209,000 illegal immigrants in Massachusetts. 

Considering the state's 2020 census showed the population was at nearly 7.03 million, illegal immigrants make up about 3% of Massachusetts' population.

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