As some cities and states still are determining how to spend the deluge of federal aid money given to them during the Covid-19 pandemic from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Mayor of Boston controversially allocated millions of dollars.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu spent $4 million from American Rescue Plan relief funds earmarked for the city on Tuition-Free Community College.
The city announced that the funds would be available to people without means testing and without verifying that the recipients are legal residents.
The city celebrated the decision in a press release.
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“Mayor Michelle Wu and the Worker Empowerment Cabinet announced a $4 million investment to expand the Tuition-Free Community College (TFCC) Plan, a City initiative that pays for up to three years of college for Boston’s income-eligible students. The expanded plan will cover costs for all residents — regardless of their year of graduation, income, or immigration status –enrolled in an associate degree program or a short-term certificate program at one of six partner colleges.”
Undocumented immigrants in Boston are now eligible to apply for tuition-free community college 🎉 https://t.co/I44VPjZ9Fo pic.twitter.com/v3ePmIVcwi
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) April 3, 2023
75% of the funds from ARPA were given to the city by the federal government, while 25% were from another federal government fund that a Massachusetts Congresswoman helped procure.
“This $4 million investment is funded by $3 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). An additional $1 million investment is made possible through the Community Project Funding secured by U.S. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley last year.”
The mayor and city council said that the $4 million represented a ‘long-term investment’ in the citizens of Boston.
“By spending Boston’s American Rescue Plan funds on tuition-free community college, we’re making a long-term investment in Boston’s greatest resource, our people,” said City Councilor Kenzie Bok, chair of the Council’s Committee on Boston’s Covid-19 Recovery.
Other people did not see it that way and criticized the city for making illegal immigrants eligible for the funds.
“With illegal immigrant handout, Boston shows why stimulus money was a mistake – Illegal immigrants will attend college for free in Boston next school year, and Americans will pay for it regardless of where they live,” One Twitter user said, quoting a Washington Examiner headline.
With illegal immigrant handout, Boston shows why stimulus money was a mistake – Illegal immigrants will attend college for free in Boston next school year, and Americans will pay for it regardless of where they live
https://t.co/c66TveC71B— George Murray Jr (@GeorgeMurrayJr1) April 5, 2023
Still, another Boston city council member said the money will “help bridge racial and economic inequality.”
“I’m very proud that the Council and the Mayor could work with Congresswoman Pressley to expand resident access to free high-quality educational opportunities, which is critical to bridging economic and racial inequality while meeting the needs of our growing industries. This initiative will have huge positive ripple effects in our local economy and community.”
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Boston has been under negative scrutiny for alleged misuse of Covid-19 relief funds.
Ex-Boston Mayor Kim Janey was criticized by Republican lawmakers for giving $1 million in Covid-19 relief funds to illegal immigrants.
“Former Boston Mayor, Kim Janey, used $1,000,000 in American Rescue Plan funds to give cash to illegal immigrants. @GOPoversight will finally shed light on blatant misuse of COVID funds.” Representative Gary Palmer, R-Al. said.
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