Over the past two years, an unprecedented number of Venezuelans have traveled to the U.S. border, seeking a better life. They’ve found themselves in American communities roiling with conflict about how much to help newcomers — or whether to help at all. These migrants are unable to legally work without filing expensive and complicated paperwork.
Ivanni Herrera looks on during an interview in a park Friday, May 18, 2024, in Aurora , Colo. Ivanni Herrera holds her baby Milan Guzman during an interview in a park Friday, May 18, 2024, in Aurora , Colo. Manuel Rodriquez, left, and Dylan Guzman play in a park Friday, May 18, 2024, in Aurora , Colo. Emily Rodriguez, left, and Ivanni Herrera look on during an interview in a park Friday, May 18, 2024, in Aurora , Colo.
After several days of camping on the street and relieving herself outside, Herrera began to itch uncontrollably with an infection. She worried: Would it imperil her baby? In fact, former President Donald Trump last week called attention to the city, suggesting a Venezuelan gang had taken over an apartment complex. Authorities say, they assured her, just as her birth would be covered by emergency Medicaid, a program that extends the health care benefits for poor American families to unauthorized immigrants for labor and delivery.
When the leader couldn’t find anywhere for the family to stay, they headed out into the evening, pushing their year-old daughter in her stroller and lugging a suitcase behind them. After they left, the middle-aged woman leaned forward in her folding chair and said: “It’s kind of crazy that our city lets them in but does not help our veterans.” Nearby, a man nodded in agreement.
Today, fewer migrants are coming to the Denver area, but Marley still receives dozens of outreaches per week from social service agencies looking to help homeless migrants. “It’s so frustrating that we can’t help them,” she said. “That leaves families camping on their own, unsupported, living in their cars. Kids can’t get into school. There’s no stability.”
Herrera took him to the hospital, then returned to the tent before being offered a way out. An Aurora woman originally from Mexico invited the family to live with her — at first, for free. After a couple weeks, the family moved to a small room in the garage for $800 a month. Herrera grimaces. She won’t flirt like her friend does. She picks up Milan and notices his diaper is soaked, then returns him to the stroller. She has run out of diapers.
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