While students at the University of Denver have spent much of Winter Quarter darting from building to building seeking warmth, tens of thousands of others in the city struggle to find basic necessities. Many are finding themselves in a completely unexpected destination. Denver’s migrant population has spent the last several months frozen, both physically and metaphorically, within the labyrinth of the American immigration system.
Over the last year, more than 40,000 migrants have arrived in Denver seeking help, shelter and, most of all, work. Many of these migrants arrived as a result of the efforts of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who has spent more than $148 million of the state’s budget to send migrants by bus to major Democrat-led cities across America, including Denver.
Adding to the confusion of an already-complicated asylum and immigration process, many migrants have found themselves in strange and unexpected locations through Abbott’s bussing program. Most of the nearly 16,000 people sent from Texas to Denver between May 2023 and January 2024 did not intend for Denver to be their destination. Rather, it was simply seen as the more desirable option when compared to overcrowded NYC and equally or more so frigid Chicago.
The apparent aim of Abbott’s decision, other than to alleviate the strain of increased immigration to the southern border state, was to prove a point to the leaders of cities such as New York, Chicago and Denver that migrants are a burden on American cities. However, the actual reactions of most Denverites tell a very different narrative.
From a widow who has opened her motel to migrants in need of food and housing to a pastor bringing warmth and resources to dozens of people with the help of his congregation, Denver has truly come together over the past several months to foster kindness wherever possible.
“It’s very hard to be angry at these folks when you come and talk to them,” said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston.
Johnston also expressed frustration at the harsh conditions facing Denver migrants this winter.
“We’re not going to let women and kids sleep on the street in five-degree weather in this city,” Johnston said. “We need to intervene.”
Denver’s resources have indeed been put under pressure as a result of the increased number of migrants, as has been the case in much of Texas. However, the crisis has spurred an overwhelming amount of humanitarian community action.
The most pressing issues facing migrants in Denver are the systemic blocks preventing many of them from being able to work and support themselves. The American immigration system is unmistakably biased in favor of individuals who already possess the means to provide for themselves. As a result, those seeking residence in the United States because they have been unable to sustain themselves in their home country—as is the case for most of Denver’s unhoused migrants—the process of applying for permission to work in the U.S. is a daunting task.
As mentioned, preference is given to migrants who already have some financial means, as well as those who have connections or family already living in America who can help provide for them. Additionally, the process can be significantly eased through the use of the Customs and Border Patrol One App, a mobile application that, of course, requires one to possess a fairly modern mobile phone, posing another economic barrier.
All of these factors combined create an incredibly bleak picture of the state of migrants in Denver. Nonetheless, there are still ways for ordinary Denverites to help. The city of Denver has put out requests for volunteers who are fluent in Spanish to help migrants begin the process of applying for work permits. Volunteers are needed to help translate documents, interpret conversations and generally help run the work authorization clinics smoothly. These clinics will run through early March and volunteers need not have any sort of immigration law background.
As Denver continues to adapt to its new reality, we, as a community, cannot afford to forget that it is our kindness, compassion and humanity that will pull our city through difficult times.
