Overview
- The Trump administration set a nationwide refugee ceiling of 7,500 for the fiscal year, a steep reduction from last year’s level.
- Maine is allocated 50 refugees, most of whom are expected to be white South Africans described in a federal notice as victims of illegal or unjust discrimination.
- The allocation marks a drop from about 1,000 refugees last year, according to Maine’s state refugee coordinator Inza Outtara.
- Major funding reductions cut the state refugee office’s staff from roughly 15–16 to eight and forced Catholic Charities and the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine to close their resettlement programs.
- Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services in Lewiston is now the only federally approved resettlement agency in the state, and officials say the state is prepared to receive the 50 arrivals.