Migrants in Denver are demanding better living conditions before moving to shelters, challenging the city’s recent policies. With a list of 13 demands, including fresh food and legal support, they refuse to relocate until their needs are met. The city’s drastic reduction in shelter stay duration has further fueled tensions.
Migrants Issue List of Demands to Denver
Migrants in Denver submitted a list of 13 demands on Monday, insisting these be met before they move to shelters. Their demands include access to a free immigration lawyer and fresh cooking ingredients.
Refusing to Move Without Conditions Met
The group, battling with Denver Human Services, refuses to budge until their list is addressed. They seek better conditions for themselves and their families, currently living under a bridge and near train tracks.
Mayor’s Petition Spurs Demands
After Democratic Mayor Mike Johnston petitioned to relocate the group, the migrants responded with their list of demands. They emphasize the need for culturally appropriate food and the right to cook their own meals.
Demand for Fresh Ingredients
Their primary demand is to cook their own food with fresh, culturally appropriate ingredients provided by the city. They argue that premade meals have led to issues like spoilage and malnutrition among children.
Complaints About Food Quality
Migrants have voiced numerous complaints about the quality and quantity of the provided food. They stress the importance of access to fresh ingredients to prevent malnutrition, especially in children.
Demand for Unlimited Shower Access
The group also demands unlimited shower access without time limits, asserting their civilian status. They argue that the restrictions are unreasonable and unnecessary.
Access to Medical Care
Regular visits from medical professionals and referrals for specialty care are also among their demands. They emphasize the need for consistent and reliable medical support.
Stable Housing Support
The migrants insist on receiving the same housing support offered to others. They demand that no one be evicted within 30 days unless stable housing is secured.
Demand for Fair Eviction Processes
Migrants are insisting on a fair process for eviction, which includes verbal, written, and final warnings. They emphasize the need for clarity and justice before anyone is exited from the shelters.
Employment Support for All Residents
The group demands that all shelter residents receive connections to employment support, including work permit applications for eligible individuals. They believe this support is crucial for their integration and self-sufficiency.
Legal Consultations and Ongoing Support
Migrants are calling for consultations with free immigration lawyers to progress their cases. They also demand ongoing legal support, including transportation to relevant court dates.
Privacy and Respect in Shelters
The migrants insist that the city provide privacy for families and individuals within the shelters. They also demand an end to verbal, physical, and mental abuse from staff, and the removal of 24/7 sheriff monitoring.
Transportation for Children
They demand transportation for all children to and from their schools until the school year ends in three weeks. This support is essential for the children’s education and stability.
Keeping Families Together
Migrants are adamant about not separating families, regardless of whether family members have children. They insist on keeping their camp together as a community.
Meeting with the Mayor
The group is calling for an immediate meeting with the Mayor and those running the Newcomer program to discuss further improvements. They seek collaborative solutions and better support for migrants.
Official Documentation of Demands
Migrants demand that all residents receive a document in English and Spanish detailing these demands. The document should include a contact number for reporting mistreatment.
Relocation and Shelter Offers
The migrants had been staying under Central Park Boulevard before moving near Denver International Airport. Denver Human Services has been urging families to leave the camp and move to shelters.
Temporary Shelter Accommodation
The mayor’s office offered the migrants the ability to stay in a city shelter for seven days instead of three. About 100 people accepted the offer as the camp was cleared from the property.
Asylum Seekers Program
Last month, Mayor Johnston launched the Asylum Seekers Program to accommodate new migrants in city-funded shelters. This program aims to provide temporary relief and support to those seeking asylum.
Rental and Food Assistance Program
Migrants receive six months of rental and food assistance along with free legal services for their asylum applications. This support is crucial while they wait for their work permits to be approved.
Reduced Shelter Stay Duration
Previously allowed to stay in shelters for up to 42 days, migrants now face drastically reduced stays of only 24 to 72 hours. This change has sparked criticism from advocates who see it as insufficient and dismissive.
City’s Overwhelming Migrant Influx
Denver has seen an influx of over 40,000 migrants since last year, the highest per capita in the nation. The city has spent over $68 million to manage this crisis, with $35 million spent between December 2023 and March 2024 alone.
Property Owners Asked to Help
In March, Denver property owners were asked to open their homes to migrant families due to budget-driven shelter closures. This request highlights the city’s struggle to accommodate the growing number of migrants.
Criticism from Lawmakers
U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert criticized the city’s migrant initiative, calling it “asinine.” She condemned the city’s hotline encouraging residents to host migrants in their homes, labeling it a “ridiculous” plan.
