Denver has cared for more than 41,000 illegal immigrants over the past two years. The new migrant arrivals have sparked backlash and depleted city resources.
Denver, Colorado, a self-described “sanctuary city,” has cared for more than 41,000 illegal immigrants over the past two years. The new arrivals have drained city resources and led to resentment from locals. The same can be said for other blue cities across the United States. This Washington Examiner series, Cost Of The Migrant Crisis, will investigate the strain on cities, schools and healthcare within Denver in particular.
“I have mixed feelings about it,” Guzman said. “I feel like some of them try to take advantage of being an immigrant and that’s not ok. At the same time, I feel bad because some of them have kids. I was a kid when I came over and it was really hard. People were speaking to me in English so fast. I couldn’t understand anything.” Nicholas Torrejon, a 23-year-old medical student from Venezuela, is also struggling to come to terms with his feelings. .
In December alone, when temperatures regularly dipped below the freezing line, 144 buses filled with illegal immigrants were dropped off at different locations in the city, leaving local officials scrambling to find temporary housing, clothing, and food. Local nonprofits, religious groups, and philanthropic organizations also stepped in, mobilizing volunteers who did everything from handing out hot meals to organizing donation drives.
“I definitely don’t want to seem insensitive to them and them wanting a better life,” Charlotte Jackson, who owns a bakery in the city’s South Loop neighborhood,. “However, if you can all of a sudden come up with all these millions of dollars to address their housing, why didn’t you address the homeless issue here?”
People hang around outside of a migrant shelter Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. . The city had already budgeted $150 million to care for asylum seekers this year as part of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2024 budget. However, the Democratic mayor recently acknowledged it won’t be enough and has sought an additional $70 million, which was passed in a 30-18 vote after more than an hour of heated debate.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Denver's unhoused population served breakfast by familiar face at the Denver Rescue MissionMichael Bogaards is a producer with Denver7 (KMGH) in Denver, Colorado.
Read more »
Denver's Best of Denver Issue Celebrates 40th AnniversaryThe Best of Denver issue, celebrating the city's 40th anniversary, is now available on the streets and web. This annual issue captures the evolution of Denver's social, cultural, political, and business scenes.
Read more »
Forty Things Every Newcomer to Denver Must Do (Before Reading the Best of Denver)The Best of Denver is not for beginners.
Read more »
Denver Mayor's Homeless Initiative Cost Still UnclearDenver Mayor Mike Johnston's homeless initiative, known as All In Mile High, has a significant cost to the city, but the exact amount remains unclear. City Council members have been seeking transparency regarding the program's expenses.
Read more »
Denver City Council Unable to Determine Cost of Mayor's Homelessness InitiativeDenver city council members are unable to determine the cost of the mayor's homelessness initiative, which is estimated to be between $10 million and $110 million. The council meeting was filled with questions about the initiative's budget.
Read more »
Protests on Auraria Tivoli Quad calling for divestment in Israel enter third dayThe demonstrations started Thursday in the space shared by MSU Denver, Colorado University Denver and Community College of Denver.
Read more »