The U.S. immigrant population hit a record high of 47.8 million last year, an increase of 1.6 million from 2022, according to the Pew Research Center. Last year, there were more than 53,000 immigrants in Maine. There are many things, but most of all, I am welcomed here,” said Germana Soko. At Trinity Jubilee Center in Lewiston, staff work with new Mainers participating in refugee and integration programs. Immigrants from around the world build community and gain the resources they need to live in Maine. I’m coming there for you.”My mom just woke up one day and was like, “I get it.” “We are going on a trip. I don’t know where we are going, but we are going somewhere,” Sarah Mair said. “For safety reasons, we cannot go back to our home country.” said. he said. I moved here from Burundi. He was a photojournalist on the ground, but said it was no longer safe. “Because of all these issues, circumstances, political circumstances,” he added. Ndhwayo came to Maine alone, without his wife and adult children, and said he is in talks with his family. “I think if I stay here and find a job and the immigration authorities give me asylum, my family will come here too,” he said. He’s not the only immigrant hoping for a better life here in America. In 2022, Maine ranks 43rd in the U.S. for legal immigration, with 984 immigrants per 1 million Maine residents, according to the latest immigration data from the Department of Homeland Security. The Border Patrol here in Maine was unable to respond to Total Coverage Maine’s request for an interview. But last November, border guards in Hodgon arrested 20 Romanians who tried to cross the border illegally. Acting Chief of Police Dennis Harmon said on the same day: “Over the past three Octobers, the Houlton area has had a total of 33 encounters. In fiscal year 2024 alone, we’ve had 53 encounters. This increase is a drain on Border Patrol resources. It’s posing challenges, and it is what it is.” Ndwayo, Mair, Soko and many others volunteer their time at Trinity Jubilee Centre. Tonya Sands, the center’s resource center manager, said the immigrants they serve are motivated to contribute to their new communities. “The few minutes people spend with these people will make a huge difference,” Sands said. One of former President Donald Trump’s key issues is immigration. He says if re-elected, he is certain to deport the most immigrants in U.S. history. While he deported 350,000 people during his presidency, Vice President Kamala Harris said she would crack down on asylum applications and extend restrictions on asylum access put in place by the Biden administration this summer.
AUGUSTA, ME —
The U.S. immigrant population reached a record high of 47.8 million last year, an increase of 1.6 million from 2022, according to the Pew Research Center.
Last year, there were more than 53,000 immigrants in Maine.
“I learned a lot, but most of all, I’m welcome here,” Germana Soko said.
At Trinity Jubilee Center in Lewiston, staff work with new Mainers in refugee and integration programs.
Immigrants from all over the world come there to build communities and access the resources they need to survive in Maine.
“One day my mom woke up and said, ‘Okay, I’m going on a trip. I don’t know where, but I’m going somewhere,'” Sarah Mair said.
“I cannot return to my home country for my own safety,” Innonkhonte Ndwayo said.
He immigrated here from Burundi. He was a photojournalist there, but says it was no longer safe.
“Because of all these issues, circumstances, political circumstances,” he added.
Ndhwayo came to Maine alone, without his wife or adult children, but said he speaks with his family every day.
“I think if I stay here and find a job and the immigration authorities give me asylum, my family will come here,” he said.
He’s not the only immigrant hoping for a better life here in America.
In 2022, Maine ranks 43rd in the U.S. for legal immigration, with 984 immigrants per 1 million Maine residents, according to the latest immigration data from the Department of Homeland Security.
Border Patrol agents here in Maine were not able to respond to requests from Total Coverage of Maine, but last November, Border Patrol agents in Hodgon arrested 20 Romanians who tried to cross the border illegally.
In a press release at the time, Acting Chief Patrol Agent Dennis Harmon said, “In the past three Octobers, the Houlton Sector has encountered a total of 33 individuals. In fiscal year 2024 alone, 53 individuals have been encountered. This increase does not preclude the excellent work done by our dedicated agents here in the Houlton area, even with the resources of the Border Patrol.”
At Trinity Jubilee Centre, Ndwayo, Mair, Soko and many others volunteer their time to help other migrants.
Tonya Sands, the center’s resource center manager, said the immigrants they serve are motivated to contribute to their new communities.
“I think those few minutes that people spend with these people make a huge difference,” Sands said.
One of former President Donald Trump’s key issues is immigration. He says if re-elected, he is certain to deport the most immigrants in U.S. history. When he was president, he deported 350,000 people.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris said she would crack down on asylum applications and extend restrictions on asylum access put in place by the Biden administration this summer.
