WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Tuesday sued to block California laws that extend protections to people living in the U.S. illegally, the most aggressive move yet in its push to force so-called sanctuary cities and states to cooperate with immigration authorities. California officials remained characteristically defiant, vowing to defend their landmark legislation. The […]
immigrants
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Lockman needs to show evidence
I thank Sen. Roger Katz (letter, Feb. 25) for pointing out the importance of more state support for English language education for new Mainers. He rightly reminds people how much everyone in the state depends on their ability to learn how to live here and contribute to local communities and economy. He also rightly notes […]
advertisement
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Catholic Church welcomes immigrants
The Catholic Church is consistent and forthright in support of migrants and refugees, calling on all the faithful to welcome and protect them. In the Nativity story, the holy family became refugees when they fled to Egypt to escape Herod’s slaughter of the innocents. In the Book of Exodus, the tribe of Israel flees Egypt […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Use proper terminology
Keeping up with “politically correct” issues, phrases and terminology is a daunting task. Just when I was getting used to “white privilege,” they spring “white supremacy” on us. It is even more perplexing with the immigration issue, where “illegal aliens” have become “unauthorized immigrants,” and have now been lumped into the one-size-fits-all term “immigrants” — […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Donald Trump rescinding DACA program protecting young immigrants
Supporters of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, chant slogans and holds signs while joining a Labor Day rally in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. President Donald Trump is expected to announce this week that he will end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, but with a six-month delay, according […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Expanding awareness
Immigrants can be a plus. I married one and from my experience and with friends who have also married an immigrant, life becomes a lifelong learning adventure. Having different backgrounds, different ways of doing things and seeing things enhances one’s perspectives. Awareness expands and, therefore, our behaviors modify. I believe that too many Americans have […]
Posted inLocal & State
Larry Lockman’s immigration bill fails in Maine House
AUGUSTA — An anti-immigrant bill proposed by Rep. Larry Lockman, R-Amherst, that drew a torrent of criticism from Mainers who are sympathetic to newcomers fleeing war and oppression overseas failed to pass muster in the House on Wednesday. The Republican lawmaker pushed a trio of related bills taking aim at cities that offer sanctuary to […]
Posted inLocal & State
U.S., Maine colleges assure overseas students, you are welcome here
On a trip to India, the president of Portland State University reassured prospective students they’d be safe on his campus. Purdue University sent overseas applicants a note from two mayors touting Indiana’s “friendly smiles” and hospitality. And dozens of other schools produced online videos to welcome foreign students. As U.S. colleges face new but significant […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Diverse cultures made America great
My parents immigrated to the United States from Russia. My father arrived in 1923, my mother in 1921. He was 22 and she was 17. Neither spoke English. Dad was a shoemaker. Dad left Russia with two friends to avoid being drafted into the czar’s army. My mother left with her mother and sister to […]
Posted inLocal & State
Wage theft bill draws criticism from business community
A proposal to increase the fines for Maine employers who cheat workers out of their pay drew sharp criticism from the businesses community this week. Rep. Jared Golden, the Lewiston Democrat pushing the measure, said that shortchanging workers of the pay they earn robs them of both “the respect they deserve” and the cash that […]