Here's a look at the process of seeking asylum and why it's different this time

Mufalo Chitam, executive director of the Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition, is coordinating community volunteers at the emergency shelter setup for asylum seekers at the Portland Expo. Many of her volunteer cooks and translators are also immigrants, from the countries the newcomers are from. Chitam was born, raised and college educated in Zambia. She moved to Maine in 2000. Troy R. Bennett | BDN