Asylum-seekers, refugees speak out about immigration policy [Video]

IMMIGRANTS, REFUGEES, AND ADVOCACY GROUPS JOINED TOGETHER AT PORTLAND CITY HALL TO DISCUSS NEW, INCLUSIVE IMMIGRATION POLICIES IN SUPPORT OF ASYLUM SEEKERS. SOME OF THE SPEAKERS INCLUDED CURRENT ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES. TOGETHER THEY CALLED FOR LEGISLATION CURRENTLY IN THE WORKS, SUCH AS THE ASYLUM SEEKER WORK AUTHORIZATION ACT. THEY ALSO VOICED THEIR SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE SEEKING ASYLUM HERE IN THE STATE. “THEY ARE NOT JUST HERE TO SIT AND DO NOTHING AND LIVE OFF TAXPAYERS MONEY THEY’RE HERE TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES AGAIN, LEARN, EDUCATE THEMSELVES, INTEGRATE INTO OUR SYSTEM AND OUR COMMUNITIES, WORK AGAIN, PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.” COMMUNITY LEADERS SAID THAT SOME OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES HERE IN MAINE ARE THE SAME ISSUES