Portland is sheltering more than 1,500 asylum seekers and homeless people in 12 hotels across 6 communities, including one in Freeport where families still need more help.
asylum seekers
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland looking again at voting rights for noncitizens in municipal elections
A proposal before the charter commission would allow all residents of legal voting age the right to participate in local races, but questions remain about the legality and impact on a vulnerable population.
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Posted inLocal & State
South Portland council to take up hotel licenses after city cites increased calls for service
The review comes as neighboring Portland continues to see high levels of need for emergency housing.
Posted inOp-eds, Opinion
Shawn Moody: Let’s seize opportunity to help immigrants build better lives in Maine
A bill coauthored by Sen. Collins slashes the waiting period for a work permit, and SOAR Maine will match asylum seekers with jobs.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Report on Boston Asylum Office finds disproportionately low acceptance rates, bias against applicants
The office serving asylum seekers in and around Maine has the second lowest approval rate in the nation, according to a report by Maine immigrant advocacy groups.
Posted inMaine Voices, Op-eds, Opinion
Maine Voices: A city with a heart prays for Ukraine
As Mainers, we are called to open our hearts and then our homes to the refugees who seek shelter and a new life here.
Posted inEditorials, Opinion
Our View: Work rules for asylum seekers not helping anyone
Changes backed by Rep. Pingree and Sens. Collins and King would give refugees the opportunity to work soon after arriving.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Rep. Pingree submits bill to shorten asylum seekers’ wait for work authorization
The legislation, which comes as Portland sees an influx of asylum seekers, would shorten the waiting period for work eligibility to 30 days.
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Forum: One new RSU 5 family’s journey of hope
(Editor’s note: This guest column by Bonnie Violette, director of instructional support in RSU 5, is running in place of Superintendent’s Notebook by Becky Foley this month.) This month, RSU 5 welcomed new students from Angola, Congo and Nigeria. Their families traveled long distances to make the journey to the United States. I had the […]
Posted inNorthern Forecaster
Asylum-seeking families find refuge at Freeport hotel
Casco Bay Inn has been designated a satellite location for the city of Portland, which has run out of space to accommodate new arrivals.