Maine's Largest City Closes Temporary Shelter for Asylum Seekers, Moves Them to Hotels

Nearly 200 asylum seekers from African countries have been relocated from a temporary shelter in Portland, Maine, to motels in Lewiston and Freeport. The emergency shelter was set up in April after a surge of arrivals, but strained city services and the end of pandemic funding in May led to the closure. The city hopes to move the asylum seekers to the family shelter as slots become available. The costs for motel housing are expected to be around $500,000, with the state contributing a portion of the expenses.