State Rep. Michael Soter, R-Worcester, and other state lawmakers are looking for answers about the state's efforts to support hundreds of migrant families now living in the Commonwealth.
Soter said they're asking for transparency from the Healey administration about their plan for these families, including housing, identification, learning the culture and language barriers in schools. Soter said right now, there's more questions than answers.
"'We will get better, we will be more effective, we will get you information, we'll tell you when they are coming in, we will get better at it,' that's really what we heard," Soter said. "No funding, no nothing. We have a big problem and it's hard for me.
"I don't know what to tell my constituents. We have people who are calling us and saying look, 'I just got told I got bumped down again because they don't have room,' or 'I'm not going to get my voucher and I can't go where I wanted to go.' All of a sudden, we can find all of these places."
Soter said this should be a federal issue and something addressed at the border.
Meanwhile, state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester, said the state does need more federal funding, but she praised the state's commitment to welcoming these families.
"You know, it's an unprecedented situation," Comerford said. "I think people of good will across the state are responding at all levels of government, local and state. As we respond with smarts and compassion and with a vision how this could really benefit our Commonwealth in the long run, and I know we can do it together, and I think Gov. Healey and Lt. Gov Driscoll, their administration is all hands on deck on this one."
Gov. Maura Healey said the state has received $2 million from the federal government since she declared a state of emergency. Healey has also asked for changes to the federal work authorization so the new arrivals can secure jobs.