AUGUSTA — A leading Maine Democrat has said a statement made by Republican Gov. Paul LePage regarding a ban on Syrian refugees to Maine and the U.S. in the wake of the Paris terror attacks is “morally repugnant.” Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, the state Senate minority leader, said LePage was taking advantage of a tragedy […]
immigrants
Posted inLetters
Not a very nice ‘welcome to America’
Around Thanksgiving time, I met a gentleman from the Democratic Republic of the Congo when his money was taken for services not provided. I invited him to Thanksgiving dinner. During the meal, we talked about his living situation and he told me that he had no supplies to clean his apartment. I volunteered to help […]
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Group faces uphill climb on citizens’ veto on GA for immigrants
LEWISTON — The organizer of a people’s veto referendum aimed at repealing a law that allows cities and towns to pay General Assistance benefits to asylum-seeking immigrants for up to two years said he hopes to start collecting signatures soon. But the question could face competition from another proposal for a ballot measure being sought […]
Posted inLetters
D. Theriault: Thinking outside the box
This is in response to Scott Roberts’ letter (July 30) in which he wrote about my response (July 23) to Dwight Murphy’s objection to the extensive burdening of taxpayers in order to give immigrants “everything they want” (July 21). Roberts said that I was apparently confusing logic with literalism in describing my samplings of Maine […]
Posted inLocal & State
King offers federal bill to reduce wait for asylum seeking immigrants
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, said Thursday he plans to introduce federal legislation to shorten the waiting period that prevents asylum-seeking immigrants from pursuing work to support themselves and their families. The issue has been a wrangling point for state and local officials in Maine who say immigrants waiting for work permits have come to […]
Posted inLetters
D. Theriault: Maine logic, insight
Tim Sample and other Maine humorists have often portrayed a conversation between an out-of-stater and rural Mainer: “Excuse me, but have you lived here all your life?” “Not yet.” “Uh, OK. So, does this road go to Bangor?” “Pretty much stays right where it is.” “But can I take this road to Bangor?” “Why not? […]
Posted inLetters
L. Hoy: Diversity used as a weapon
Michael Nadeau recently suggested that people “… learn about the value of diversity” (July 8). Diversity as an ideal would appear to be a goal for liberal manipulators of American culture; it is not. Diversity is, instead, a weapon liberals use against American culture. The ideal of diversity once moved this nation to fight a […]
Posted inLocal & State
Maine House says, ‘yes’ to General Assistance for immigrants
AUGUSTA — The Maine House approved a bill Monday allowing asylum-seeking immigrants to collect up to 24 months of General Assistance payments from cities and towns. The bill faces additional hurdles in the Legislature and a likely veto from Republican Gov. Paul LePage. The House of Representatives, controlled by Democrats, largely split along party lines. […]
Posted inLocal & State
Maine’s city lawmakers stand together in support of immigrant aid
AUGUSTA — A group of lawmakers from Maine’s largest cities opposed a new, two-year state budget that makes it easier to deny financial help to asylum-seeking immigrants. During a series of floor speeches late Tuesday night, lawmakers from Lewiston, Bangor and Portland decried the rejection of changes in the state budget that would have allowed […]
Posted inLocal & State
House GOP: Immigrant welfare sticking point in Maine budget
AUGUSTA – How much Maine spends helping poor and unemployed immigrants is emerging as a key sticking point in state budget negotiations between Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature. A top Republican budget-writer and one of the four House lawmakers in the minority on the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee said conservatives are looking to cap current […]