The editorial “Our View: Putting asylum seekers to work benefits country” (July 23, Page A4) is right on the money.
Here in Portland, Oakhurst needs truck drivers and the city needs bus drivers. A number of very smart asylum seekers were studying to pass the written test so they could get further instruction for these jobs. Volunteers with Portland Adult Education, including yours truly, were helping them one on one to learn what is needed for the test.
Suddenly we got a message, “Non-citizens can’t take the test.” All that energy was lost. I hear of construction jobs being delayed for a year because the contractors can’t get enough electricians or plumbers.
We have talented people here who are eager to work. The Trump administration seems determined to remove so many regulations that protect jobs and the environment, but it is determined to enforce, even strengthen, regulations that prevent our new residents from working. Go figure!
Delene Perley
Portland
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