How One State’s Colleges Are Helping African Asylum Seekers

Portland, Me., recently received hundreds of African asylum seekers who had found their way to the U.S. border. They were identified by an advocacy group and bused to the city, which is known for welcoming refugees. The University of Southern Maine, Southern Maine Community College, and Portland Adult Education are on the front lines of an effort to help these “New Mainers” navigate the education system. As a result of growing awareness of immigrant issues, the state has made admissions ACT/SAT optional, and it grants in-state tuition to new immigrants with residency.

The Chronicle talked with Glenn A. Cummings, president of the University of Southern Maine, about how it is working with refugees who do not have the credentials held by legal immigrants, and how he seeks a balance between being welcoming and inclusive but not neglecting the disadvantaged citizens of Maine who want a higher education. One answer is private donors who step in to help.

We also spoke with representatives of nonprofit groups, including Claude Rwaganje, who founded ProsperityME, which offers scholarships and financial education to asylum seekers, and with students seeking asylum who have been residents for a few years, about the difficult path to getting the education they need to join the work force, and why it’s harder now compared with recent times.

Julia Schmalz, a senior multimedia producer. tells stories with photos, audio, and video. Follow her on Twitter @jschmalz09, or email her at julia.schmalz@chronicle.com.