Thread: How the Congo is Moving to Welcoming Maine

How the Congo is Moving to Welcoming Maine

July 5, 2019 ~ Ann Corcoran

“Along the way, word passed from mouth to mouth about a far-off place that would welcome them: Portland, Maine.”


I hope you all had a great Independence Day yesterday!

This story from the Portland Press Herald is one of many stories I have in a queue on the migration to Portland, Maine by Africans who heard about Portland and obviously had the money to travel there!

Unfortunately, I have little time (I’m going away Sunday) to tell you about all of those stories, but this one outlines how the migration is happening after the apparently well-funded and well-fed Africans flew to South America and headed north from there.

(My previous posts on Portland are here.)



One of the starving Africans being helped in Portland, Maine. Thérèse Ononye and her two year old daughter who was born in Brazil.

If you want to experience the joy the ‘humanitarians’ of Maine are experiencing there are two things you need—a growing ethnic community (Somali, Congolese, Nigerian, whatever) because they want to live with their own kind of people, and generous social services, and they will come!

Oh, and by the way, according to the Center for Immigration Studies, 35,000 more Africans are staged in Central America ready to make the jump to the US border.

Recently someone told me that a family member was fed up with Seattle and had bought a house in Portland, Maine. The thought, which I did not express, was this: What the h*** don’t people read!

Most of this article includes a detailed report about the harrowing (?) journey, but I am not snipping most of that because who knows how much of it is the truth. And, besides, harrowing journey or not, the problems between African ethnic groups in Africa is not our problem!

Why didn’t they just apply for asylum in Brazil? And, who is funding their travel to our border?

Asylum seekers defy death for a better life in Portland

No matter the language – French, Spanish, Portuguese, Lingala – the faces of the migrants staying in the Portland Expo darken when they hear the words for “The Mountain of Death.”

Scores of families, totaling more than 300 men, women and children, traveled thousands of miles to Portland from central Africa in recent weeks, fleeing violence and political instability in their home countries. The influx of asylum seekers has sparked an all-hands response from the city, which opened the local basketball arena as a shelter.

Concerned donors have poured more than half a million dollars into the relief effort.

As the migrants rested on cots in the Expo and recounted their long journeys through Central America and Mexico, a pattern began to emerge.

They hacked their way through the same jungles, forded the same rivers, and clung to the sides of the same mountains. There were acts of violence and charity, births and deaths. Along the way, word passed from mouth to mouth about a far-off place that would welcome them: Portland, Maine.
[….]

By definition, asylum seekers are applying for protection in their host countries. They cannot be economic migrants, in search of a better standard of living. They must be fleeing danger at home. [Therefore they should have asked for asylum in Brazil!—-ed]
[….]
In the past, people fleeing African homelands would more likely have traveled north across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. But in recent years, more welcoming policies and attitudes in South America have drawn migrants west. And, for many, it is a first step on a longer journey to the United States.


Many migrants enter through Ecuador because the country doesn’t require visas to pass through. From there, the migrant road heads to Colombia, and on through Central America.

So much for Mexico helping us!






Migrants temporarily held up at Mexico’s southern border. According to the Congolese in Portland they were briefly detained then put on buses for the US border! Photo: https://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-mexico-tapachula-migrants-united-states-deal-20190613-story.html

From Nicaragua to Honduras, from Honduras to Guatemala, and on to Mexico.

Under pressure from the United States, the Mexican government has taken to holding migrants at its southern border. Most of the families stayed in detention for a week or less before officials put them on buses headed north. [Mexico doesn’t want the Africans—ed]
[….]


Somewhere along the trail, the migrants heard tell of a place called Portland, Maine.


None of them could say who first mentioned it, or where, or when. Many of the hundreds of central Africans who crossed the Texan border in recent months had no idea where it was.

Still, they have been asking for it.
[….]

Ononye said she had heard of Portland’s existing Congolese community, as well as its social services.

“People said good things about Portland,” she said. “There are programs for us, brothers and sisters (from the Congo) to welcome us.”

“They were very adamant about going to Portland, Maine,” said Tino Gallegos, who works as an immigration liaison for the city of San Antonio, a hub that distributes new arrivals throughout the country. Asylum seekers are free to go where they choose as they pursue cases in immigration courts.

“It was a real surprise to me. Before they came, I knew virtually nothing about Portland, Maine.”
[….]

Droves of asylum seekers have arrived in Maine’s largest city in recent weeks. Officials have housed more than 200 each night in the Portland Expo, the arena for the Maine Red Claws basketball team, and are seeking more permanent shelter for them. Private donations have poured in, too – more than $500,000 as of last week to support the families.

And yet even after thousands of miles, the journey may not be over.

It will take months, if not years, to resolve the asylum claims. Asylum seekers are not legally allowed to work until at least six months after a formal application is prepared and filed. In the meantime, they are dependent on local services and aid groups such as the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, or ILAP, whose lawyers visited the Expo earlier this month to outline the legal road ahead.

Twitter accounts and phones!

One asylum seeker with a Twitter account said last week that he had heard armed police were coming to take them away, possibly referring to a called-off Trump administration raid on immigrant communities in 10 major U.S. cities. Some migrants may be moving on to Canada, community leaders and city officials have heard.
The asylum seekers who spoke to the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram said they planned to stay.

More here.


The Left has been making sure their people are planted as mayors and other elected local officials for decades and frankly this will not end until people like you—my readers—work at that level to replace them.
The problem is too great and too widespread for even Donald Trump to control.


https://fraudscrookscriminals.com/20...lcoming-maine/

Trump had better be aware of this and send a TEAM down there to deport them all back home!

Shut down and defund these damn programs.

We cannot take in One Billion people on the planet!!!

SEND THEM BACK TO BRAZIL.

Mexico deported 22,000 migrants in June, up 33% over May

Originally Posted by Beezer

Trump had better be aware of this and send a TEAM down there to deport them all back home! . . .

Trump has no authority in any other country.
Trump can't send Americans into another country without that country's permission.
Trump can't deport people in South American or Central American countries back to their home country.
Trump has no authority outside of the U.S.
Let's deal with the real world.

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

Trump has no authority in any other country.
Trump can't send Americans into another country without that country's permission.
Trump can't deport people in South American or Central American countries back to their home country.
Trump has no authority outside of the U.S.
Let's deal with the real world.

Like the "real world" that Trump had no effect on Mexico ramping up deportations in their country?

Like the "real world" that Trump sent people and had meetings to do it???

Got it

He CAN send a team of people just like Mexico.

Tariffs, etc! Offer to help deport them!

I didn't explain that very well.
I didn't realize it would need to be explained.
It seemed kind of self explanatory.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

Trump has no authority in any other country. (FACT)
Trump can't send (TEAMS of Americans) Americans into another country without that country's permission.

Trump can't deport people in South American or Central American countries back to their home country. (He has to try to get the other country to deport them.)

Trump has no authority outside of the U.S. (He has to work with the other country to try to get them to do something for him.)

Let's deal with the real world.

.

Now I guess we can see why Maine's Senator, Susan Collins, is so squishy on immigration. She is a comprehensive immigration reform (amnesty) supporter as evidenced by her "gang of eight" amnesty bill support and her support of a DACA amnesty.

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

I didn't explain that very well.
I didn't realize it would need to be explained.
It seemed kind of self explanatory.
----------------------------------------------------------------

.

Gee, how did he "GET AUTHORITY" with Mexico to ramp up deportations if he did NOT send a team of people to negotiate with them at the table?

And how do you KNOW they would not agree to help with transportation for deportations??? They are being over run too.

And how do you "get permission" if you do not send a "team" of people...like Pompeo, DHS, Pence, etc, whoever to get the talks going??? They have ALL been down there.

I see you do not have Judy here to attack her posts now you are in the habit of attacking mine.


YOU do not need to explain anything to me.

I didn't "realize" I need your explanation. I do not.

And YOU do not need to agree with my posts either.

We negotiate with countries all the time, we send in troops to defend other countries, we send countries billions of our dollars. We have DHS agents down there now. Who gave DHS "permission" for that?

Why not get the "permission" to assist them with the deportations and get the transport vehicles down there to get it done.

International Travel Guidance for DOI Employees | U.S. Department of ...
https://www.doi.gov/intl/travel-guidance

For travel by political appointees, even if you have permission from your leadership ... This is required per both DOI and State Department policy and applies even when ... must receive approval from the local U.S. Embassy to enter the country.
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Guidance for DOI Employees


DOI Guidance for Offical International Travel

International travel preparations take several weeks to complete, so travelers should begin the necessary steps as soon as possible. Office of the Secretary personnel can direct questions to the DOI Office of International Affairs Director, Karen Senhadji at 202-208-5479. Bureau personnel may wish to confer with their own international office/ program to determine if additional guidelines or routing are necessary. In addition, travelers may wish to direct specific questions to the particular points of contact listed for the steps below.

REQUIRED for All DOI International Travelers:

1. Submit DOI International Travel Clearance Form (DI-1175). Submit your DOI electronic international travel clearance form, the DI-1175, via Sharepoint and/or by email to Karen Senhadji at least 6-8 weeks before planned departure. Please reference these instructions for completing the DI-1175 Form.
2. For travel by political appointees, even if you have permission from your leadership, please notify Karen Senhadji as soon as you learn of the planned travel to facilitate timely reporting and approvals for your trip. In addition, note that all political appointee travel MUST be routed to and approved by the DOI Deputy Chief of Staff.
3. Request your official passport and/or visa. All DOI employees traveling on official business must do so on an official passport. This is required per both DOI and State Department policy and applies even when just crossing the border for the day or traveling to and from a U.S. territory. Note that an official passport (brown cover) is distinct from a tourist/personal passport (navy blue cover) and that application procedures and guidance differ for each. Passport and visa information that you may find on public-facing Department of State or foreign embassy websites is for tourist passports and visas, and additional steps or different requirements may be applicable to official passports and visas.It normally takes 6-8 weeks to obtain an official passport, and an additional 1-3 weeks to obtain each visa from foreign governments, so travelers must begin this process as soon as possible. To obtain an official passport (new/renewal), an official visa, or to give notification of all travel in order to retrieve an official passport stored by the DOI Passports and Visas Division, submit the Official Passport, Visa, and Notification for all Travel Request Form, along with a draft copy of the DI-1175 international travel clearance form or a Concur travel authorization, to the DOI Passports and Visas Division as soon as you know you will need to travel (to all countries, including Canada). The Passports and Visas Division will provide you with guidance on which forms and supplementary materials to complete and submit for processing. The DOI Passports and Visas Division can be contacted at tel. 202-208-5292, or fax 202-219-9822. Visit our website for more information or to schedule an appointment.
4. Complete required State Department security training. The Department of State requires that all U.S. government personnel travelling internationally on official business must take the online High-Threat Security Overseas Seminar (HT401/HTSOS) training before departure. Alternatively, U.S. government personnel travelling to a designated high-threat, high-risk post or to any destination for a combined 45 days or more in a calendar year must take the Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (CT650/FACT) training before departure. Please be aware that the HT401/HTSOS training is an online course that takes several hours to complete, while the CT650/FACT training is a multi-day course that must be taken in person. Once completed, the training certificates are valid for five years. To register, please follow the instructions that the State Department provides here: High Threat Security Overseas Seminar Training (HT401/HTSOS); Foreign Affairs Counter Threat Training (CT650/FACT).
5. Request electronic country clearance (eCC) from the State Department. All U.S. government travelers who travel on official business internationally must receive approval from the local U.S. Embassy to enter the country. Clearance must be obtained by submitting an eCC request to the State Department at least two weeks prior to travel, and where indicated, must be accompanied by a certificate demonstrating completion of the required security training and/or proof of medical evacuation coverage overseas. Please reference these instructions for how to complete the eCC.
6. Check for and get necessary immunizations. Plan ahead—immunizations may take several weeks to take effect, and some must be administered independently of one another. Each traveler’s medical and health concerns will vary. It is highly prudent to compare one’s individual health status/concerns with the details available from the Center for Disease Control, and to consult a medical professional.
7. Contact DOI security personnel for latest security information. Security risks change constantly, make sure to contact Chris Riemer 202-208-6206, Neil Hernandez 202-208-6211, or Candace Shea 202-208-1570 in the Office of Law Enforcement and Security (OLES). Please note, OLES must be informed of international travel by PAS (Senate Confirmed) appointees.
8. Notify your personnel security branch if traveling internationally with a Security Clearance (Secret, Top Secret, SCI). This includes personal travel.
9. Review DOI polices on international travel with electronics. Contact your IT support office/ Associate Director for Information Resources if you wish to take DOI- issued electronic devices with you. IT support may need to configure your official electronic communication device so that it has service overseas. Office of the Secretary employees can contact Lou Eichenbaum in the Office of the Chief Information Officer, 202-208-5433.
10. Ensure compliance with all other federal/DOI travel requirements. In addition to international travel requirements, DOI employees must also complete all of the same documentation and approval procedures that are in place for domestic travel, including compliance with federal travel regulations (i.e. use of U.S. owned airlines to and from the continental U.S; when different classes of travel are permitted and when layovers for travel are allowed etc.) and completion of a travel authorization. (These travel requirements are administered by the Office of Financial Management, and are documented in the Departmental Manual Chapter 347 and the DOI Temporary Duty Travel Policy Guidance document.)

RECOMMENDED for all DOI International Travelers

1. Review State Department guidance on travel. Travelers should consult the State Department travel destinations website for information relevant to their destination, and to learn about any travel alerts or warnings.
2. Confirm health insurance coverage. Travelers should verify international coverage through their personal medical insurance representative, since not all carriers provide coverage overseas. Please note that State Department posts are increasingly requiring U.S. Government travelers to provide proof of medical evacuation insurance to obtain electronic country clearance (eCC). The State Department has provided a list of providers for this service which can be reimbursed as a voucher expense. The traveler should make sure that the coverage purchased meets the criteria for the coverage required by the relevant post.
3. Notify bank and credit card companies of travel. Some banks or credit cards may close an account if they notice unexpected overseas activity. Travelers should contact their bank and credit card companies beforehand to provide the destination and dates of travel, as well as to inquire about any foreign transaction fees that may be applied if the credit or debit card is used outside of the U.S., and whether cards may require the use of a longer pin number or chip.
4. Consult the latest exchange rate. Exchange rates fluctuate. There are many Internet sources to determine the most current exchange rate, such as Currency Converter.
5. Consider requirements for electrical outlets. Other countries use a number of outlets that are not compatible with standard U.S. electronic devices. There are many internet sources which indicate if adapters are needed, such as the European Union standards site.
6. Consider the time difference. There are many Internet sources to determine the time difference between your home and destination, such as the World Clock site.

Department and Bureau International Travel Contact

Please note that bureau employees must work with their bureau's International Office Travel Contacts to process all of the documents listed above according to their bureau's policy. Office of the Secretary and PMB Employees should contact the DOI Office of International Affairs (INT).
DOI employees traveling for the International Technical Assistance Program: To learn more about the ITAP travel process of DOI employees, read "DOI-ITAP Travel Process for Bureau Employees".

Bureau	Contact	Telephone
BIA	Eugenia Tyner-Dawson	202-208-5050
BLM	Colin Strylowski,International Affairs Specialist	202-912-7257
BOR	Kristine Smith	202-513-0557
USBR	Catie Nugent	202-540-8965
FWS	Tasha Harris	703-358-1904
	Doris Burnette	703-358-1999
BSEE	Julie Fleming, Acting Chief, Office of International Programs	703-787-1681
NPS	Rudy D'Alessandro,International Cooperation Specialist	202-354-1805
BOEM	Emily Lindow, Chief of Staff, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management	202-513-0825
OSMRE	Sterling Rideout	202-208-2868
USGS	Kevin Kunkel, Director of International Programs	703-648-6206
ONRR	Karen Osborne, External Communications, Office of Natural Resources Revenue	202-208-3970
OS/PMB	Ethan Taylor	202-513-7748
DOI Passports and Visas	Tiffany Cephas	202-208-5292
	Crystal Franklin	202-208-5292

Links and Forms

• Official Passport, Visa and Notification for all Travel Request Form
• DI-1175 form
• Passport Safekeeping Memo
• Federal Travel Regulations regarding Class of Travel and Fly America requirements
• DOI Policy and Guidance for International Travel with Electronics
• State Department per diems for overseas travel
• State Department telephone directory
• State Department Travel warnings, advisories, and entry requirements
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) travel notices

Appointments

To make an appointment for an in-person or phone consultation with our Passports and Visas Division please use the below icons. Alternatively, messages can be sent to staff via telephone at 202-208-5292.

Schedule an Appointment
for an in-person consultation





Schedule an Appointment
for a phone consultation

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For changes to this guidance, please contact Karen Senhadji. Updated October 2018.


https://www.doi.gov/intl/travel-guidance

Looks like Trump's TEAM got all their documents and the AUTHORITY WITH PERMISSION to travel to Central America and Mexico during the last TWO years or they would not have attended the meetings with them.

Good grief, are you saying nobody from Trumps TEAM ever met with these countries or negotiated all the policies that are in place now? Like they had no prior authority?

Pence was there, Kelly was there, Nielson was down there all at the table.

You think they did not go through all these procedures to date. And what make you think they cannot CONTINUE to send in teams of negotiators to assist them in deportations.