Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) said asylum seekers are “the biggest problem in our state” because they are bringing “hepatitis C, tuberculosis, AIDS, HIV, the ‘ziki fly,'” (sic) according to a Tuesday report from local radio station MPBN.
“Asylum seekers—I think the biggest problem in our state—and I’ll explain that to you,” LePage said at a town hall in Freeport, Maine.
Attendees yelled “Shame, shame” at LePage after he made the comment, according to MPBN News.
The governor then tried to explain that asylum seekers are not receiving proper medical assessments.
“And what happens is you get hepatitis C, tuberculosis, AIDS, HIV, the ‘ziki fly,’ (sic) all these other foreign type of diseases that find a way to our land,” he said, as quoted by MPBN News.
LePage is known for making hyperbolic statements about the problems he believes are plaguing Maine, including implying that black drug dealers are impregnating his white constituents and advocating for child labor.
