After the Legislature fails to act, city officials look to the Mills administration to expand public assistance for more asylum seekers.
Randy Billings
Staff Writer
Randy Billings is a government watchdog and political reporter who has been the State House bureau chief since 2021. He was named the Maine Press Association’s Journalist of the Year in 2020. He joined the Press Herald in 2012 as the Portland City Hall reporter, where his beat touched on a wide range of topics, including municipal government, immigration, homelessness, housing and social services. Prior to that, he worked at various weeklies as well as business and arts publications. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine, Orono. He lives in North Yarmouth with his wife and two children and enjoys the outdoors and playing his upright bass.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Lawyers, Portland police chief address African migrants’ concerns about deportation, safety
Immigration experts say Portland’s new arrivals are legally present in the U.S. and can’t be deported before they have completed the asylum application court process.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland’s neighbors pledge to help find homes and other assistance for asylum seekers
Leaders from 6 Greater Portland communities say they will seek housing for close to 90 families who are now staying in city shelters.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland council’s choice of site for new homeless shelter draws criticism
Some people staying at the current shelter say the new site is too far from services downtown. Riverton residents question the wisdom of putting the shelter in an industrial area next to a river.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland looks to house African migrants as councilors discuss aid
With the flow of asylum seekers apparently slowing, City Manager Jon Jennings says the city is beginning to look for housing for over 200 people who came to Portland from the southern border.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portlanders welcome asylum seekers, but also worry about financial strain on taxpayers
Some residents are proud of the city’s open-arms approach, while others question what the long-term obligations will be.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland’s new asylum seekers settle in as community offers help
More than 170 asylum seekers from Africa spend their first day in a makeshift shelter as more arrive and the city receives over $63,000 from over 700 donors.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland responding to ‘a very critical emergency’ as scores of asylum seekers arrive
The city will set up 350 cots at the Portland Expo to provide temporary shelter, and USM’s president says he’s willing to open up a 200-bed dorm in Gorham through Aug. 7.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland Expo to serve as emergency shelter as influx of asylum seekers creates ‘a very critical situation’
Portland receives 86 asylum seekers from the southern border in 3 days, and the city manager says the city manager of San Antonio, Texas, told him to expect as many as 150 more to arrive soon.
Posted inLife & Culture, Local & State, News
Portland wants gamers gone from Evergreen Cemetery
City officials are asking the gamemaker to remove the coveted Pokemon Go icons sought by players.