According to The Washington Post, thirteen immigrant children were eliminated from the state’s medical assistance program due to budget cuts. The administration cut seven million dollars from the state Medicaid program last year, which included medical care cuts for about four million children and pregnant women. Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich denied medical assistance to these legal immigrant children who have lived in the country less than five years. The children can appeal their medical assistance at a lower court. The Court of Special Appeals has agreed to set an expedited schedule for the children’s suit which is set to come before the appellate court by early April. Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Durke G. Thompson has granted a temporary junction to give the thirteen children access to health care while the case is pending.

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According to the Associated Press, Maine’s state senate voted without any debate to make requirements for issuing drivers’ licenses and state identification cards stricter for the residents of the state who are not US citizens. The bill was voted to be enacted and then was sent to Governor John Baldacci. If the proposed law is signed off, it will prevent Maine from accepting expired visas that were granted by the US, as well as documents that is from another country. In addition to these types of documents, foreign passports showing expired dates are typically used for identification to get drivers’ licenses or state identification cards will no longer work. This proposed legislation is not as strict as the federal requirements, but the law will make the Maine’s existing rules stricter than before.