Governor says state is at capacity on emergency housing and urges federal action on new arrivals

The Governor told reporters that the administration is working to "depopulate" emergency housing and help people move into employment and permanent housing, and said the state has sent a clear signal that it is at capacity and "cannot continue to take on new arrivals." The remarks came during a broader press event about transit improvements at Haymarket Station.

Asked whether the flow of new arrivals — which a year earlier was "several 100 a month," the questioner said — has continued at that pace, the Governor said the numbers have gone down but declined to give a current monthly total. "I mean, the numbers have gone down," the Governor said, and added that managing arrivals is largely a federal responsibility requiring congressional action and border enforcement.

Separately, the Governor noted that the state auditor audited the Department of Children and Families' mental health services for children in DCF care. The Governor said the Governor's office cooperated with the audit, that much of the audit focused on the prior administration, and that DCF is already implementing the auditor's recommendations.

Officials did not announce new state policies or specific budget actions at the event. The Governor reiterated a call for federal help and legislative fixes to immigration and border challenges.