PORTLAND, Maine - Municipal officials and local business leaders gathered in Maine's largest city Monday to encourage support for a measure that would help asylum seekers gain access to state aid.
The city of Portland is currently at odds with the LePage administration, which wants to prevent General Assistance aid from going to asylum seekers.
LePage - who has repeatedly described asylum seekers as "illegal immigrants" - wants Maine to comply with a federal law barring asylum seekers from receiving government benefits, as part of his welfare reform program.
But Portland Mayor Michael Brennan says asylum seekers often go on to contribute to economic development and should be looked after.
"We're here today to support a future for Maine that allows us to have population growth, allows us to have the workforce we need, that allows us to have diversity within our community," Brennan said.
Lawmakers in Augusta are expected to soon vote on LD 369 - a bill that would ensure that asylum seekers remain eligible for General Assistance.
