Dear Editor:

In response to several letters and misguided actions of the DHHS regarding asylum seeking immigrants, I propose we explore a different resolution for immigrants entering the state of Maine awaiting work permit papers from the federal government.

The real problem creating a need for immigrant welfare benefits is the long time (three to four years) before the immigrant receives a work permit. A recent Washington Post article indicates that some are waiting up to 24 years. The many complex methods of categorizing immigrant requests is a primary reason for calls to reform immigration. In the meantime asylum seekers continue to wait for years before they receive a right to work.

States receive immigrants approved for entry, but not yet approved for work. The clog in the immigrant process not resolved by Congress is costing the states money and prevents them from benefiting from productive workers.

Time to think outside of the box - the solution may be a state issued “temporary” work permit that allows the immigrant to earn a living and reduce state welfare expenses. Canada has a program that issues the permit within two weeks and they help the immigrant find an appropriate job.

U.S. constitutional law gives states regulatory freedom for state inhabitants. Under that provision Maine could issue a “temporary” work permit leaving the final approval to the federal government. With income generating immigrants and asylum seekers, state expenses are minimized and the immigrant begins assimilation and language learning while being a productive contributor to the state economy and taxpayer. If this requires a change in state law, perhaps that is where we should focus our efforts.

New York has a proposal making way through its state legislature – “New York is Home” Act, S. 7879 that accomplishes this and more. I suspect many states are exploring similar concepts to reduce their expenses and benefit from worker productivity. An out-of-box idea that can resolve financial concerns of Maine seems to be a better financial solution to Maine’s immigrant issues.

Jarryl Larson
Edgecomb