Maine Gov. Mills: We’ll Take Afghan Refugees

Maine Gov. Janet Mills has told the Biden Administration the state of Maine would take in Afghanistan refugees evacuated to the United States.

The U.S. has evacuated 82,000 people so far from Afghanistan to the Joint Base Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst in New Jersey, Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Fort Bliss, Texas and Fort Lee, Virginia. The bases are equipped to house the individuals although they may be sent to Afghan communities in California and Virginia.

"Along with other Republican and Democratic governors, Gov. Mills has informed the Biden administration that Maine is prepared to provide safety and opportunity to Afghan refugees who protected American service members and American interests in Afghanistan," Mills said in a statement to NewsCenter Maine.

"Doing so honors our country’s commitment to stand with those who stood by us. It also strengthens and diversifies our state by welcoming people who want to put down roots, raise families, work, and start businesses here," the governor said.

President Joe Biden canceled a meeting  with governors who expressed interest in hosting refugees in their respective states following a "complex attack at Kabul's airport that killed American service members as well as Aghans."

President Joe Biden has said the evacuation will be complete by August 31.

Sen. Maggie Hassan during a newsroom interview with Seacoast Current said the focus needs to be on getting American citizens out along with "Afghan allies and partners" who supported the United States military effort over the past 20 years.

Troops need to remain in the country until the job is done, Hassan said.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH