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Johnston rules out granting local work permits to migrants

FOR NEW MIGRANTS | Mike Johnston announced the closure of shelters. (Photo/El Comercio de Colorado)

ONLY 20 PERCENT OF MIGRANTS WILL OBTAIN A FEDERAL WORK PERMIT

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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The city and county of Denver will close shelters and cancel programs that assisted nearly 40,000 immigrants over the past 18 months by the end of March. Mayor Mike Johnston explained that the measure is due to lack of funds to sustain these benefits.

According to Johnston, the city lacks the $60 million needed to continue with programs aiding newly arrived immigrants, mostly Venezuelans. Additionally, the senior official stated that the city has other obligations, such as keeping recreational centers open and addressing residents’ priorities.

Little federal or state support

The mayor estimated that the total cost of assisting immigrants since late 2022 will exceed $120 million. Only a fraction of that amount has been covered by federal or state grants. Johnston noted that the decision to close shelters, health clinics, and transportation services was postponed due to low temperatures.

Instead, Johnston emphasized that Denver is not closing its doors to immigrants and will seek more efficient ways to support those who choose to make the city their new home. He highlighted that Denver has been and will remain a welcoming city, but it faces financial challenges in maintaining its infrastructure and basic services.

Nonprofit organizations step in

The care of several migrants shifts to nonprofit organizations and churches. The Archdiocese of Denver temporarily houses immigrant families with children. Other local community organizations are also accommodating migrant families and singles. “It’s a step in the right direction. There is still much work to be done,” Johnston asserted.

“Coordinated work with local organizations will prevent an increase in homelessness in Denver. We have also noticed that more people are now aware of the volume of immigrants that Denver has welcomed and that the availability of jobs and housing that existed six months ago no longer exists,” the official pointed out.

Few federal work permits

Mayor Johnston also provided data on the decrease in the percentage of new commers who can receive a work permit. He said, “Months ago, we had 30 or 40 percent of people arriving who had temporary protected status or CBP-One authorization. Unfortunately, we believe that number is decreasing.”

Johnston believes that now only 20 percent of new migrants can obtain a work permit. The mayor of Denver mentioned that there are still people eligible for CBP-One applications, such as asylum seekers, who could obtain work authorization, but it is a slow process.

Local work permits not viable

Johnston ensures that the possibility of considering a local work permit for migrants who cannot obtain federal permits is not viable. He argued that granting a local work permit would be a violation of federal law that could endanger immigrants, especially if federal policies change in the future.