Jon Fetherston, a former director of a migrant shelter in Marlborough, Massachusetts, has unveiled a deeply disturbing account of his tenure, alleging widespread violence, sexual assault, and even rape occurring within the state’s overwhelmed migrant shelter system. Fetherston’s narrative paints a grim picture of a system struggling to cope with the influx of migrants arriving from the southern border, and raises serious questions about the safety and well-being of those housed within these facilities. Massachusetts, a self-declared sanctuary state, has borne a significant financial burden, spending nearly $1.1 billion in taxpayer funds to accommodate the surge, often converting hotels into temporary shelters.
One of the most shocking allegations involves a father who allegedly impregnated his 14-year-old daughter within the Marlborough shelter. This claim appears corroborated by a separate report detailing the case of Ronald Joseph, an illegal immigrant accused of repeatedly raping his daughter both during their journey to the U.S. and after their arrival. While the daughter was removed from her father’s custody, Joseph was reportedly simply transferred to another taxpayer-funded shelter in Worcester, raising concerns about the lack of criminal prosecution and the potential for further harm. Fetherston expressed disbelief that Joseph was not incarcerated, questioning the logic of placing him in another vulnerable environment.
Fetherston further recounted the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl by a 29-year-old man within the shelter. The man, identified as Gladimy Rodene, was subsequently arrested and issued a restraining order. Disturbingly, a security guard’s report, relayed through the initial victim, suggests Rodene may have assaulted another girl as well. Neither of the alleged perpetrators, Joseph or Rodene, are currently subject to ICE detainers, according to an ICE spokesperson. These incidents are not isolated; reports from other Massachusetts shelters detail further allegations of sexual assault and violence, including the alleged rape of a pregnant woman by a Haitian national and the arrest of another Haitian national accused of raping a 15-year-old.
Beyond the horrifying accounts of sexual violence, Fetherston described a chaotic environment marked by frequent altercations, often stemming from disputes over access to basic amenities like microwaves. He even recounted an incident where a migrant drove a car into his office, allegedly in retaliation for Fetherston’s decision to scale back the distribution of diapers, formula, and wipes to those already receiving government benefits. This incident underscores the tension and frustration simmering within the shelters, highlighting the challenges faced by staff in maintaining order and ensuring the safety of residents.
Fetherston’s daily responsibilities included facilitating access to social services such as food stamps and healthcare, procuring essential items like toiletries and baby supplies, and even arranging dry cleaning and transportation for the migrants. He described a system where the state provided for virtually every need, from meals catered by external companies to an apparently unlimited Amazon budget for purchasing necessities. This open-ended spending, coupled with the sheer volume of migrants needing assistance, created a constant demand for resources and a relentless cycle of procurement. The situation reflects the enormous strain placed on the state’s resources by the migrant influx.
These alarming revelations come as Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has vowed to resist any future federal deportation efforts, promising to utilize “every tool” at her disposal to protect the state’s residents. This stance sets the stage for a potential clash with the incoming Trump administration, which has pledged to implement a large-scale deportation operation. Healey’s declaration underscores the complex political landscape surrounding immigration, with state and federal authorities holding divergent views on how to address the ongoing border crisis. The situation in Massachusetts highlights the significant challenges faced by states grappling with the influx of migrants, raising critical questions about security, resource allocation, and the potential for exploitation within the shelter system.
