Chellie Pingree: “I am very sorry. I fully sympathize with the city of New York and the many challenges they are facing in managing this…”

“I am very sorry. I fully sympathize with the city of New York and the many challenges they are facing in managing this influx of people. As I have said, I have had numerous conversations, whether it is the mayor of my own city of Portland or the city council or the many people who are working hard in social service agencies to make sure that we continue to be a welcoming country; that the asylum seekers who are legally in our country but waiting for the long process of their asylum application to be approved or denied, to get through that process, that they require housing. I will just say a couple of things. I am sorry also that New York City recently had to experience the foot of water, but I encourage my colleagues to stop opposing measures to reduce the impact of climate change. Once again, they are turning their head at the things that are going to continue to happen more and more to some of our biggest cities in the country and rural areas, as well. I also recommend that people don't have to stay in shelters for so long if we would only let them go to work. We have a provision for asylum seekers to get a work permit, but right now it takes 180 days. Why not just shorten it down to 30 days. When you are concerned about the cost of this and the cost of people going to work, we can make sure they go to work. I have talked to so many asylum seekers and their families. They are so anxious to go to work, and we have a worker shortage.…”