AUBURN — A recent increase in the number of asylum-seekers requesting General Assistance isn’t isolated to Lewiston. According to officials in Auburn, there has also been a jump in the number of people seeking asylum on the other side of the Androscoggin River. The increase is squeezing budgets at a time when state welfare programs […]
asylum seekers
Posted inLetters
U.S. showing lack of compassion
I am saddened and disheartened after reading the front-page article (“Pain, despair in Somali community,” Jan. 31) about Somali community members who are devastated by President Donald Trump’s despicable travel ban on refugees from seven predominately Muslim countries. How can people read that article and not empathize with the plight of these residents and refugees? Family […]
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Posted inOp-Eds
Immigration policy poorly executed
The recent position about immigrants and refugees taken by Gov. Paul LePage and Lewiston Mayor Robert Macdonald illuminates one of those rare instances where local citizens get to see first-hand how inept federal policies affect their communities. Let me say, categorically, this writing is not about being anti-immigrant or anti-refugee. This is about common sense […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Some skeptical as backers of asylum seeker welfare prep suit
PORTLAND — As defenders of welfare for asylum seekers in Maine get ready for a legal challenge against new rules, advocacy groups are divided about whether the effort can succeed. The state Department of Health and Human Services has released new rules that only immigrants who meet a federal law’s definition of “lawfully present,” or […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage says asylum seekers are ‘biggest problem in our state’
FREEPORT — Gov. Paul LePage’s latest town hall forum Tuesday night included exchanges between LePage and Freeport state Rep. Sara Gideon, and several constituents who angrily left the event. LePage opened the meeting at the Freeport Community Library as he has prior forums in other communities, talking for several minutes about ways to reduce the […]
Posted inLetters
Lewiston now the welfare city
My husband and I are hard-working individuals who work 40 to 50 hours a week, yet we struggle financially. In Lewiston, people on welfare get free food, free housing, free medical and lots of money to use, however they wish. That is ridiculous. People on welfare should not get cash. The Lewiston City Council has […]
Posted inLetters
C. Lansley: There is a difference
I wish to note inconsistencies in Robert Clark’s letter of July 1. Persons who are refugees are in this country legally and are not undocumented. I believe the assertion that asylum seekers are creating an imbalance in assistance programs is inaccurate, as those in that category are of a relatively small number. Christopher Lansley, Auburn
Posted inLetters
R. Clark: Gov. LePage doing it right
As a registered independent voter, I applaud Gov. Paul LePage’s efforts for trying to change the status quo with regard to welfare and General Assistance. Maine cannot be all things to everyone. If state government is to take care of anyone, the elderly and truly disabled should be the highest priorities. Maine citizens should not […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Portland fund to help asylum seekers for 1 year
PORTLAND — Operating details are unclear, but a new city fund will assist immigrant asylum seekers with basic housing, food and medical costs. The $2.63 million Community Support Fund was created June 24 when the City Council approved a $225 million municipal budget for fiscal year 2016. It will prevent an estimated 500 families with […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Mainers have a choice about which side of history to follow
I would like to talk about a bit of fairly recent American History. I promise it is not boring. During the late 1930s, a ship with more than 900 Jews was turned away from several ports, including the United States, when they were fleeing Nazi Germany and their likely demise. The ship was named the […]