Press Release: The Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center Asks Maine Congressional Delegation to Support Asylum-Seeking Families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 12, 2018 

Contact:
Alain J. Nahimana | Executive Director
alain@welcomeimmigrant.org
Office: 207 517 3405
Cell: 207 766 8551
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The Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center Asks Maine Congressional Delegation to Support Asylum-Seeking Families

PORTLAND, Maine (June 12, 2018) - In response to yesterday’s announcement by Attorney General Jeff Sessions that the U.S. would no longer extend asylum protection for those fleeing domestic violence and gang violence perpetrated by non-governmental actors, the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center called on Maine's Congressional delegation—U.S. Senator Susan Collins, U.S. Senator Angus King, Representative Chellie Pingree and Representative Bruce Poliquin—to stand with immigrant families and denounce the Attorney General's dangerous and divisive position regarding asylum seekers.

Kevin Simowitz, member of the board at the Welcome Center, issued the following statement:
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“Maine is home to hundreds of immigrant families who escaped life-threatening situations in
their home countries to seek asylum in the United States. The Attorney General's reckless statement puts the lives of families, particularly women, at extreme risk for the purpose of
scoring political points with those who favor draconian immigration policy."

"The Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center's mission is to serve as a hub of collaboration that strengthens the immigrant community. We stand against all policies that threaten the well-being of immigrants and asylum seekers, and we call upon our Congressional delegation to do the same.”

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The Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization that serves as a hub of collaboration that strengthens the immigrant community through language acquisition, economic integration and civic engagement.