PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The dispute between the city of Portland and the administration of Gov. Paul LePage over welfare benefits to some immigrants could heat up at the next city council meeting.
The Portland Press Herald (https://bit.ly/1y5YLCR ) reports that the council Monday is expected to discuss an upcoming request for state reimbursement of more than $300,000 in general assistance funds provided during the last half of June.
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services in June prohibited cities from providing general assistance benefits to immigrants who can’t prove they’re in the U.S. legally.
Attorney General Janet Mills called the move unconstitutional.
Portland, Westbrook and the Maine Municipal Association have filed a legal challenge to the directive, saying it has made them de facto immigration officials for which they have no training.
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Information from: Portland Press Herald, https://www.pressherald.com
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