A Massachusetts state senator is pushing for reforms to the state's emergency housing program following the arrest of an illegal immigrant residing in a state-subsidized hotel room. The individual, identified as 28-year-old Leonardo Andujar Sanchez, a Dominican Republic national, was apprehended by Revere Police on December 27th. He faces eleven state charges, ten related to firearms possession (including one for being an undocumented immigrant possessing a firearm) and one for possessing roughly ten pounds of fentanyl.

Federal charges were also filed against Sanchez on Wednesday for possession with intent to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl and unlawful firearm possession. Authorities discovered five kilograms of suspected fentanyl, an AR-style assault rifle, ammunition, scales, and gloves in his room at the Quality Inn in Revere. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) estimates the street value of the seized drugs at approximately $1 million. ICE confirmed Sanchez's illegal entry into the U.S. after his arrest.

Sanchez was denied bail at his arraignment on December 30th. Details of his arrest emerged from federal court records, revealing that Sanchez's girlfriend alerted police to the presence of drugs and a firearm concealed in their hotel room. She explained that they had secured the room through a refugee program and had been living there for three months.

The Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities confirmed that Sanchez and his family had resided at the Quality Inn since October 15th. The office stated it conducts monthly warrant checks and maintains constant on-site security at hotels used in the program, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for criminal activity.

State Senator Ryan Fattman expressed outrage, questioning how Sanchez accessed the program while some of his constituents facing homelessness are unable to. He highlighted a recent case of a mother of two in his district who was denied shelter after her home burned down. Fattman pointed out that the state has allocated approximately $2.5 million over the past two years to housing undocumented immigrants under the emergency shelter program. He raised concerns about the vetting process, citing instances of dangerous individuals entering Massachusetts and causing harm.

According to the Boston Herald, eligibility for the emergency shelter program requires residents to be within 115% of federal poverty guidelines, which translates to an income below $1,443 per month plus $515 for each additional household member. However, reports indicate Sanchez has hired a private attorney. Fattman argued that criminals are exploiting the system, taking advantage of free programs while potentially concealing assets. He emphasized the injustice of prioritizing individuals involved in criminal activities over struggling families and constituents in need.

Fattman believes unsealing Sanchez's court records is crucial to understanding the flaws in the program's vetting procedures and determining how he gained access to the program. He stressed the need for transparency and accountability to prevent similar incidents in the future. In August, the Massachusetts Republican Party accused Governor Maura Healey of spending over $1 billion on the state's migrant crisis without transparency. During a recent news conference, Healey stated that Massachusetts is not a sanctuary state and that all shelters are now subject to mandatory searches and background checks to ensure the safety of residents.