Refugees are brought to the United States to escape violence or persecution. Here is a look at the number of individuals resettled in Maine each year, and where they were born. It does not include refugees who moved here after first resettling in other states. Mouse over the charts to view detailed figures for each […]
Megan Gray
Staff Writer
Megan Gray is an arts and culture reporter at the Portland Press Herald. A Midwest native, she moved to Maine in 2016. She has written about presidential politics and local government, jury trials and jails. Her current beat is her favorite yet, and she loves the stories that take her to behind the scenes to an artist studio or theater backstage. Outside of work, she likes to explore Maine’s hiking trails and coastal islands with her husband, and she definitely wants to pet your dog.
By the numbers: Special immigrant visa
‘Special Immigration Visa’ arrivals nationwide since 2008 Translators and others who aided the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan can qualify for a special immigrant visa, along with family members. Here is a look how many special immigrant visa holders arrived in the U.S. since 2008, and their countries of origin. SOURCE: U.S. Department […]
The refugee: His childhood memories include fleeing war and living in a sprawling camp
What is refugee status?About Somalia LEWISTON — The Kenyan refugee camp where Abdikadir Negeye grew up didn’t have a manicured soccer field. Their ball was clothing scraps wrapped in plastic. Everyone played barefoot. But Negeye and the other Somali children in the camp played constantly. “Soccer is everything,” said Negeye, who is now 32. Negeye, […]
By the numbers: Special immigrant juvenile status
‘Special Immigrant Juvenile’ petition approvals nationwide, by federal fiscal year Child immigrants who have been abused or abandoned and cannot reunite with family can be given special juvenile status. There is no data showing how many of these young people live in Maine. Here is a look at the increasing number of children seeking the […]
The child alone: A teenager arrives with no guardian, no resources and no plan
Who are special minors?About Burundi When the young woman talks about her birthplace in Burundi, she twists her fingers in a delicate silver chain around her neck. The simple necklace once belonged to her mother, who died when the woman was a baby. She was placed in the care of a relative in Burundi and […]
By the numbers: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
Childhood arrivals Nearly 800,000 foreign-born students and workers brought to the U.S. illegally as children have enrolled in a federal program that protects them from deportation. President Trump has decided to rescind the program in March, although Congress could pass a law extending protection. Here is a look at where participants live and where they […]
The military aide: He risked his life to work for the U.S. government in Iraq
What’s a special immigrant visa?About Iraq Mahmood will never forget the date: April 6, 2017. He had spent more than two years in the application process for a special immigrant visa, which is available to Iraqi and Afghan citizens who worked for the United States government in their home countries. Mahmood’s experience as a translator […]
The childhood arrival: She has just become a nurse, but now politics has upended her world
What is DACA?About the West Indies Sophia studied for her nursing board exam all summer long. After graduating from college in May, the 23-year-old woman returned to her family’s home in Maine. Her summer days were dominated by a prep course and practice tests. A passing score on her licensing exam would mean she could […]
Paths of immigrants to Maine differ, but their hopes have echoed through the centuries
Like the rest of the nation, Maine has been a destination for waves of people from away, and their arrivals usually are met by some resistance.
Westbrook hires Biddeford official for economic development post
Daniel Stevenson will start work at a key time in the city’s economic development.
You must be logged in to post a comment.