PORTLAND – Portland Mayor Michael Brennan and leaders in the faith, business and immigrant communities today called on the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to reject a proposed rule change that would deny General Assistance (GA) to asylum seekers and other immigrants at a press conference in Portland.
Also today, advocates delivered over 2,600 signatures to DHHS from concerned Mainers who think the state should reject this unfair rule change. Hundreds of people packed a DHHS hearing in Augusta earlier this month to testify against the proposal.Today is the last day for people to turn in written testimony to DHHS before the agency makes a final decision about whether to adopt the rule change.
The following quotes can be attributed as noted:
Portland Mayor Michael Brennan: “This proposal will leave hundreds of people homeless within a month and thousands within a year in the city of Portland alone. It will have devastating effects on our city and our state. And who will be left to help new Mainers get on their feet? We simply cannot make such a costly mistake.”
Rev. Mykel Johnson, Allen Ave. UU Church: “Without the very basic help that has been available, hundreds of people who fled danger and torture and war will feel abandoned and once again vulnerable. As people of faith, as Mainers, as human beings, we must welcome and help those who have fled from danger and oppression in their own lands. It is the very measure of our humanity.”
Ange Stephie Hodari, an asylum seeker from Burundi: “I’m grateful for this aid, which will allow me to regain my life after the persecution I faced in my home country. In a few months, I will be able to obtain a work permit under federal immigration laws and to finally get to work to meet my needs. I hope my immigration status will not be a reason for discrimination.”
Mohamed Ibrahim, former GA recipient: “Asylees come to Maine because we believe we can find better treatment and safe shelter for ourselves and for our families. That is what the GA represents to us, but that is not what we have been hearing from some leaders these days who are saying we come to Maine just to use the generosity of the people of Maine. Asylees are grateful for the help GA gives and we pay back our new communities by contributing once we are able to work.”
Jim Wellehan, owner of Lamey Wellehan Shoes: “Our family business grew because we, as a state, welcomed people from all over the world to live, work and do business in our cities and seasonal resorts. on our farms, our forests and our oceans. The heart of our economy is small, family owned businesses founded by people ‘from away’ who came for the same reasons our ancestors settled here, to make a better life for themselves and their families. We want Maine to be open for business to everybody.”
