BANGOR — Returning from a tour of immigration facilities on the Texas-Mexico border, both Maine’s U.S. senators criticized the Obama administration for failing to stem misinformation that has led tens of thousands of unaccompanied Central American children to the U.S. border. “I’ve called on the administration to make much clearer that these children, for the […]
immigration
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine senators part of congressional fact-finding visit at U.S.-Mexico border
Seven U.S. senators, including Susan Collins and Angus King, have visited the Texas-Mexico border on a fact-finding mission focusing on the immigration crisis. The group met Friday with Customs and Border Patrol Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske during a visit to a border patrol station, port of entry and centralized processing center. They also visited a military […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Immigration becomes an issue in Maine governor’s race
AUGUSTA — The debate over immigration is raging in the three-person race for governor in Maine, far from where an influx of central American youth is crossing the nation’s southern border. Republican Gov. Paul LePage sharply criticized the federal government this week for placing eight immigrant children in Maine without advising him and his campaign […]
Posted inMaine
LePage wants answers on immigrant children placed in Maine
AUGUSTA — In a conference call Tuesday with federal agencies, Gov. Paul LePage was informed that eight illegal immigrant children have been placed in Maine by the federal government. “I only learned that children have been placed in Maine after I asked the question,” LePage said in a prepared statement. “No one from the federal […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Connie Schultz: Where has the compassion gone?
The Rev. German Calix, director of a Catholic relief agency in Honduras, described how gang members killed five children ages 5 to 13 in May: “They cut their bodies into quarters as a warning to others because the children didn’t want to distribute drugs in their neighborhood.” Here’s Samuel Carcamo, 17, describing why he was […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Charles Krauthammer: There’s a simple solution to current immigration problem
WASHINGTON — As is his wont, President Obama is treating the border crisis — more than 50,000 unaccompanied children crossing illegally — as a public relations problem. Where to photo op and where not. He still hasn’t enunciated a policy. He may not even have one. Will these immigrants be allowed to stay? Seven times […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lewiston mayor reacts to immigrants’ protest
LEWISTON — Mayor Robert Macdonald released a statement Tuesday evening blasting protesters in Portland who oppose efforts by Gov. Paul LePage to cut General Assistance to asylum-seekers and undocumented immigrants. “The governor’s actions were labeled ‘morally indefensible’ and ‘unconscionable’ by church leaders,” Macdonald said. “Is it also morally indefensible and unconscionable to increase the burden […]
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Rich Lowry: Immigration issue key to Cantor’s loss
The seeds of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s shocking primary loss may have been sown in January. That’s when House Republican leaders insisted on floating a set of immigration principles at the party’s retreat as a gesture toward acting on the Senate Gang of Eight immigration bill. The principles were shelved, but they stoked the […]
Posted inMaine
LePage says he’ll stick to plan to defund municipal welfare for illegal immigrants
LEWISTON — Maine Gov. Paul LePage says he’ll stand his ground on a plan to cut off welfare funds for undocumented immigrants despite warnings from Maine’s Democratic attorney general that doing so could be illegal. LePage said Thursday he wasn’t concerned about the state being sued over the matter. He suggested that if the federal […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Attorney General rules Maine can’t deny General Assistance to immigrants
AUGUSTA — Maine Attorney General Janet Mills has ruled that a proposal by Gov. Paul LePage to bar immigrants and asylum seekers from receiving General Assistance is illegal and unconstitutional. The proposed new rule, which was unveiled late last year by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, was meant to align qualification for […]