Denver Faces Unprecedented Influx of Migrants, Strains City Resources
Denver is experiencing an unprecedented wave of migrants, with the city grappling to accommodate the surging numbers. In recent weeks, the influx of migrants in Denver has grown so rapidly that city leaders are now faced with the challenge of strained resources. To address the situation, the city has announced plans to shorten the length of time individuals can stay in temporary shelters, although families will have an extended time limit.
The situation has become so critical that Denver city leaders have even requested assistance from the Colorado National Guard. However, as the state had not declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard, state officials were only able to send civilian employees to provide support.
According to city data, a staggering 122 migrants arrived in Denver on Tuesday, bringing the total number of people staying in temporary shelters to 2,510. This recent influx has been driven, in part, by charter buses sent to Denver and other cities by Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s administration, as Texas deals with a significant increase in crossings at the Mexican border.
The city of Denver released a statement highlighting the gravity of the situation, stating, Over the past week, the daily average of new arrivals is nearly 300. These unprecedented numbers are up sharply from even mid-September when the daily average of newcomers to Denver was 125, and the shelter population was 1,200.
The increased influx of migrants is heavily impacting shelter capacity and placing strain on staffing availability. This is the third major wave of migrant arrivals since December, with this week’s numbers in shelters surpassing last winter’s peak by several hundred.
To address the strain and challenges faced by the city, Denver has revised the limits for temporary shelter stays. Starting Wednesday, adult migrants, mainly those seeking asylum from Venezuela, will be allowed to remain in city-run temporary shelters for 14 days instead of 21. Families with children will have an extended stay of 37 days instead of 30, providing them with more time.
Denver Human Services spokesperson Jon Ewing acknowledged the strain, stating, I think we would all agree that we’re strained, and we’re strained in multiple ways. Recognizing the need for additional help, Denver requested assistance from the state, which has provided monetary support, resources, and staffing. The governor’s office allocated $1 million towards supporting the work of non-profits, assisting migrants in finding permanent housing and employment if they have obtained temporary protected legal status provided by the federal government.
It’s worth noting that city and state leaders have stated that the majority of migrants passing through Denver are only stopping temporarily on their way to other cities within the United States.
Denver’s struggle to manage this unprecedented influx of migrants highlights the need for comprehensive approaches to address the challenges faced by both migrants and the cities they pass through. The strain on resources and the urgent demand for solutions calls for collaborative efforts at local, state, and federal levels to ensure the smooth and efficient management of migration across the country.
