Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Immigration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Constituents press Moulton on immigration, migrant housing and federal grant uncertainty
Summary
At a Peabody town hall, residents expressed anxiety over deportations, migrant housing costs being absorbed by state budgets, and recent short-term federal grant cancellations. Congressman Seth Moulton said his office will help constituents navigate federal agencies and that coordination with local officials is ongoing.
Residents at a Peabody town hall raised urgent concerns about immigration policy, local costs for migrant housing and recent federal grant disruptions, pressing Congressman Seth Moulton for concrete help.
Several attendees described personal worry about federal immigration enforcement and local pressure on municipal budgets. Maria Lehi, a constituent who said she had tried repeatedly to contact the congressman’s office, criticized recent congressional votes and urged meetings to discuss housing priorities. Another attendee asked why local road projects could be stalled if federal grants are cut.
Moulton said his office is actively helping constituents with federal-agency problems and will investigate specific items such as scholarship restorations and grant decisions. “There’s a lot of concern and anxiety,” he said, noting that some people who “have followed all the rules” are worried about being swept up in broader enforcement actions.
On funding, Moulton said there had been confusion earlier in the day when “all sorts of federal grants were canceled” and then restored a few hours later. He warned residents to “expect a bit of chaos” while federal policies are unsettled and said congressional staff are coordinating with state and local officials to reduce disruptions.
Moulton also acknowledged the fiscal strain on the Commonwealth: “The state budget has had to absorb billions of dollars of costs” related to migrants who have arrived, he said, and argued that the federal government should do more to help.
When asked about prioritizing veterans over migrant housing, Moulton said he would not prioritize migrant housing over veterans and reiterated his personal commitment to veterans’ care, citing his continued use of VA services.
Moulton encouraged constituents with specific cases—passport issues, immigration and grant problems—to bring them to his office for direct help and said his staff meets regularly with state and local leaders to coordinate responses when federal funding is uncertain.
