BOSTON - Gov. Maura Healey has imposed new requirements for families staying in safety net shelters. In announcing the plan earlier this week, she said it is a way to ensure those staying in the shelters are working toward independence. 

Healey said starting May 1, families in the state’s overflow sites will have to recertify every month to prove they are working toward work permits, jobs and permanent housing. 

While this policy would not only apply to migrants, advocates for the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, or MIRA, said they don’t think this is the best use of time for migrant families. 

“We're not sure that this was the best step forward. We much would rather see people getting the services, people getting connected to those work authorizations and starting to work, rather than taking in the time to do certifications monthly, because that's just taking time away from delivering other services,” says Elizabeth Sweet, the executive director of MIRA. 

The State House was packed Thursday for Immigrant Day with immigrants and advocates there to talk to their elected leaders about services. They also wanted to celebrate what they see as wins this session, like drivers’ licenses for undocumented immigrants and state college tuition.

“You know, we look right now at the State House, and we understand that our leaders are trying to show up with compassion,” said Sweet. “They're trying to show up and protect our right to shelter law and find a way to balance all of this. We at the MIRA coalition, we hope that they don't limit shelter status, but we absolutely understand that they are working to make the budget work for everyone.”

Despite a cap on families in emergency shelter in the state, people are still coming, looking for somewhere to stay. The state is opening another overflow site in Chelsea at the old Soldier’s Home that was set to be demolished.