Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration is offering taxpayer-funded scholarships for an activist program while limiting participation to immigrants, including non-U.S. citizens, a requirement that has drawn criticism online.
The Immigrants Lead Boston program, run by the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement, is designed for “emerging leaders” interested in advocating for Boston’s immigrant communities. Participants meet city officials and receive training aimed at helping them engage with local government and organize within their communities during the 10-week program.
Critics have seized on both the taxpayer funding and the eligibility requirements, arguing that U.S.-born residents are excluded from a city-backed leadership program whose participants can receive a $575 scholarship.
“That is not charity. That is a political pipeline built to shut citizens out of their own city,” one user wrote on X.
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“Paying illegal immigrants to learn political organizing to protest against the country they’re in,” one person wrote on X.
“For starters it sounds like discrimination,” posted a user.
“Michelle WU is a communist who probably wants a American version of China,” a person wrote taking shots at the Boston mayor.
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“Is this legal,” asked one user.
“Illegal aliens have broken our laws. Any assistance given them other than assistance to leave the country, simply rewards their unlawful behavior, encourages other unlawful behavior, and more illegals to follow their lead,” one person posted.
Similar taxpayer-backed benefits for immigrants have surfaced in other Democratic-led states, particularly in higher education.
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New York, Connecticut and Vermont have offered in-state tuition or other financial benefits to immigrants in the country illegally, while Oregon and Washington have provided access to benefits such as state grants or student loans. California has also allowed qualifying students in the country illegally to apply for state financial aid.
Fox News Digital reached out to Mayor Wu’s office for comment.
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