Glover, Kiffy publish Op-Ed article in BDN, asylum seekers in Maine
Robert Glover, assistant professor of honors and political science at the University of Maine, and recent UMaine graduate Grace Kiffney, published an Op-Ed article in the Bangor Daily News about asylum seekers’ access to resources and general assistance in Maine.
According to the article, this year, the U.S. immigration court backlog hit 474,322 cases. In Maine, this backlog means that the comparatively small number of asylum seekers — about 1,000 — may wait up to five years for their asylum hearings.
“Asylum seekers face significant challenges upon reaching the United States: completing the complex asylum application process, learning a new language, navigating a new culture and potentially facing discrimination from the receiving community,” the article reads.
Glover is a member of the Maine chapter of the national Scholars Strategy Network, which brings together scholars across the country to address public challenges and their policy implications. Kiffney is a recent UMaine graduate in international affairs.