PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Donors have provided more than $200,000 and volunteers are assisting as Portland, Maine, deals with a sudden influx of asylum-seeking immigrants from Africa.
Donations are needed because the new arrivals from the nation’s southern border are not eligible for state General Assistance. Thus they’re relying on city funds and donations from the community.
The Portland Press Herald reports that as of Saturday afternoon, the city had raised more than $230,000 in donations to help people staying at a shelter set up at the Portland Expo. As of late Friday, more than 200 newcomers were using the emergency shelter.
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A spokesman said Democratic Gov. Janet Mills is currently trying to determine “the most effective way to support and assist the city moving forward.”
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