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Michael Hancock: “We cannot keep shouldering this burden alone”

TITLE 42 HAS EXPIRED| The number of migrants arriving in Denver is expected to grow. (Picture/El Comercio de Colorado.

THE RECENT INFLUX OF MIGRANTS FORCED DENVER TO OPEN THE FIFTH REFUGE.

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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Denver opened a fifth shelter to respond to the increased number of migrants that have arrived in the city as of May 5. “Our city continues to do everything we can to respond to this humanitarian crisis. But we cannot keep shouldering this burden alone. We’re sending out a distress signal: we need our federal and congressional leaders to hear it and respond,” said Mayor Michael B. Hancock.

The mayor called on community partners, including nonprofits, churches, and other organizations, to help with shelters, donations, and other aid. Since December 2022, Denver has spent $16 million to serve more than 10,000 immigrants. The city only received just over $900,000 from the Department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Food and Schelter Program (EFSP).

“Every night for the past five months, Denver has hosted between 400 and 2,000 immigrants. Denver has seen a significant increase in the number of immigrants arriving from the US southern border. Earlier this week, nearly 400 migrants arrived in one day, far eclipsing what the 20-30 arrivals per day for much of March and April,” said the mayor. Now that Title 42 has expired, the number of migrants is expected to continue to grow.

Asking for 8 million of dollars

Currently, there are more than 1,000 migrants in five temporary shelters operating in Denver. “With the sharp increase in migrant arrivals this week, the shelters are nearing capacity. Denver is working to expand its resources as quickly as possible and has been in close coordination with the state of Colorado for assistance with this crisis,” Hancock said. The city budget office asked the City Council to approve an 8 million dollars from the contingency fund.