A proposal by the governor’s office to end general assistance payments to non-citizens has caused significant concern for the well-being of those who come into Maine seeking asylum.
The cutback, led by Gov. Paul LePage, would align Maine’s standards for general assistance, also known as welfare, with those of the federal government, thereby making food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and general assistance available only to U.S. citizens and to those refugees who are resettled by the U.S. State Department.
Currently, the state makes these benefits available to all immigrants who are seeking asylum in Maine, including visa holders and illegal immigrants, who have demonstrated financial need. According to press reports, Maine is one of only 11 states with a combination state and local general assistance program, and one of only a few states that base assistance on financial need alone.
The Department of Health and Human Services has reported that the state provided $17.5 million in GA in 2012, with $13.2 million of that coming from the state budget.
A process exists, however, for people to gain the status of a refugee as defined by the State Department, and receive these benefits. With the state facing a $34 million budget shortfall, it does not make sense to continue our reputation as a “free lunch” for those coming to the U.S. without this designation.
A coalition has been formed to protest the governor’s actions, made up of members of the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, immigrant rights advocates and church groups. A press conference is planned for Friday.
These groups contend that the state assistance is necessary for these immigrants, many of whom are escaping violence in their home countries, to get on their feet until they can obtain a work visa.
Most welfare programs at the federal level, however, do not provide coverage for legal non-citizens for five years from their arrival date, according to AP reports. Why should Maine taxpayers be offering so much more, with benefits available immediately to anyone who comes through the borders and documents a financial need?
According to the DHHS, expenditures for general assistance in Maine have been rising over the last 10 years: The state’s share was $6.1 million in 2007, nearly $12 million in 2012 and that amount is expected to increase to more than $15 million in 2015.
The total general assistance expense in Maine was $9.6 million in 2007, $17.4 million in 2012 and is projected to rise to nearly $24 million in 2015.
Maine cannot afford these costs, and the line has to be drawn somewhere. Clearly, it makes the most sense to offer this support to U.S. citizens first and tighten the purse strings for others.
This effort will bring Maine in line with other states in its support of those who are not yet U.S. citizens. It is not the role of the state government to offer such unrestricted support for immigrants who have not been deemed eligible by federal standards.
As Biddeford General Assistance Director Vicky Edgerly noted recently, the asylum process itself is costly, with interpreters often required at a cost of $50 per hour, and the process costs thousands of dollars even if it is not completed.
The coalition set to address the public Friday has voiced concerns about homelessness amongst the asylum-seeking immigrants, and that is where charity should come into the picture, not only from organized charity groups in the state, but from the existing immigrant community.
The state government, funded by every taxpaying citizen in Maine, cannot be all things to all people, and if the line must be drawn somewhere due to budgetary constraints, this seems like an appropriate place to cut, as citizens should have priority.
What needs to be addressed is the length of time it takes immigrants to obtain work visas and become citizens so they can support themselves. Maine citizens should not be paying out of pocket for this shortfall in legislative action.
Once municipalities are left to bear this cost alone, without state support, the burden will be recognized and more support will be likely for these cuts. The generosity of the state’s current system is unsustainable.
Ӣ Ӣ Ӣ
Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
