AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ 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 for placing eight immigrant children in Maine without his advising him. Meanwhile, his campaign has sought to elevate the debate in the race by consistently questioning his Democratic opponent's position on the issue.
LePage says that it's wrong for the federal government to place a higher burden on Maine and accused it of secretly placing ``illegal aliens in our state without our knowledge.''
Democratic Rep. Mike Michaud's campaign contends that the governor is oversimplifying a complicated issue to score political points with his base.