Both of Maine’s U.S. senators said Saturday that President Donald Trump’s temporary ban on immigration from seven Islamic countries is off the mark. “The worldwide refugee ban set forth in the executive order is overly broad and implementing it will be immediately problematic,” said U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican. She said, for example, “it […]
refugees
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine to end its role in refugee resettlement March 4
As President Donald Trump weighs sharp restrictions on the resettlement of refugees in the U.S., Gov. Paul LePage’s administration has been taking the final steps to end Maine state government’s small role in the federal refugee resettlement program. Documents reviewed by the Bangor Daily News show that the state plans to end its part in […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Refugees to keep coming to Maine despite Gov. Paul LePage’s opposition
AUGUSTA — Refugees will continue entering Maine despite Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s announcement that the state will no longer participate in a federally funded resettlement program. So far this year, about 607 refugees were resettled in Maine, and more will arrive next year. Over the past decade, the state has worked with Catholic Charities of Maine […]
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 inLewiston-Auburn
Lewiston offers lessons amid refugee crisis
LEWISTON — The arrival of thousands of Somali refugees in this former mill city in the nation’s whitest state sparked a backlash at first, complete with a rally of white supremacists and a pig’s head rolled into the local mosque. Fifteen years later, the Somali newcomers are solid members of the community, as evidenced by a […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage: Help veterans before Syrian refugees
Then the governor brought up the president’s desire to move ahead with plans to allow 10,000 Syrian refugees into the U.S. He says the White House should be more focused on helping veterans. “Mister President, let’s take care of our military that you sent over there to fight to keep our freedoms,” LePage said. “Let’s […]
Posted inLetters
Don’t take Syrian refugees
No, no and no to bringing Syrian refugees to the United States. There are many reasons. One of the most important reasons is that the U.S. will not be able to do background checks on them. No one wants another Sept. 11. That could very well happen if it is not known what kind of […]
Posted inOp-Eds
West in denial over Muslim immigrants
FRANKFURT — In an ironic twist, Germany, which in the last century twice invaded other countries, contributing to two world wars, is now being invaded by hordes of Muslims. According to Pew Research Center, there are 4,760,000 Muslims in Germany, about 5.8 percent of its population, and that number is steadily growing. The Wall Street […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lewiston looks to use state welfare rules for refugee eligibility
LEWISTON — The city will hitch its General Assistance eligibility requirements to state rules, councilors agreed Tuesday. City Administrator Ed Barrett said it makes more sense for the city to simply refer to the state’s requirements than to create its own set of requirements. “I would not be surprised if once again this year, there […]
Posted inLetters
No longer ‘Home of the Brave’
Why are some Americans so terrified of refugees trying to escape unbearable conditions in their own countries? Listening to Donald Trump, one would think that the U.S.border is totally overrun with millions of Mexicans sneaking into the U.S. Pew Research Center has found that more people from Mexico are now leaving this country than coming […]