Living in communities with asylum seekers, refugees, immigrants – peoples with a multiplicity of diversities – deepens our knowledge of ourselves and the world around us. These humans are a value-add in so many ways. Maine has long been known as the state with the oldest population in the nation, a state that young people leave to find opportunities elsewhere, a state for vacationing. New arrivals (I do not use the term “new Mainers,” individuals should be free to decide what they wish to be called), bring with them a wealth of knowledge and are resources for building a strong future for Maine.

A shortfall in school funding has been projected in many communities for years. Inflation – the literal price of eggs – is providing a challenge for many. There are many reasons for our current financial situation, and many reasons why schools are feeling the strain of decades of being underfunded and under-resourced.

There is an argument being framed that the reason for school budget increases is an influx of newly arrived peoples that leaves out the value these newly arrived peoples bring. This is untenable. Our public schools exist to serve our students, all of them. Highlighting asylees, refugees and immigrants as money drains without lifting their value furthers resentment and hate.

Asylum seeking and refugee seeking is legal. People don’t leave safe, secure homes. While we figure out how to balance the critical needs our society has right now, the scapegoating and negative framing must stop.

Sarah Norsworthy
Yarmouth

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