Mitchell cited in BDN story on LePage’s move to end state’s role in federal refugee resettlement program
John Bear Mitchell, a lecturer and coordinator of the Wabanaki Center at the University of Maine, was quoted by the Bangor Daily News in a story on the LePage Administration’s plan to stop resettling refugees by March 4. Discontinuing participation in the federal resettlement program leaves the role of the Office of Multicultural Affairs at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, unclear. Mitchell says the office has suffered from a lack of authority and funding. “It was sort of like trying to get through college with really broke parents. It tried to make things happen, but it was difficult with no authority, no money and no way to get out the message, Mitchell told the BDN.