Denver rolled out its new immigration strategy this week, part of which includes confronting the crisis on the frontlines.
State of play: Two city officials traveled to El Paso, Texas, for a three-day trip to tell over 20 immigrant shelter providers that Mayor Mike Johnston's arms-wide-open approach has changed, Denver Human Services spokesperson Jon Ewing tells us.
Reality check: Similar efforts have been made by officials from Chicago and New York to "discourage" travel — but it hasn't stopped people from heading there, Ruben Garcia, who heads Annunciation House, which operates several immigrant shelters in El Paso, told Denverite.
The other side: Johnston's new policy is raising alarm among local service providers and advocacy groups, who call it "short-sighted" and "uninformed."
If migration patterns hold true — and President Biden doesn't issue the executive order he's hinted at to significantly limit southern border crossings by the end of this month — city officials say a surge could be on the way in late spring.
State of play: Two city officials traveled to El Paso, Texas, for a three-day trip to tell over 20 immigrant shelter providers that Mayor Mike Johnston's arms-wide-open approach has changed, Denver Human Services spokesperson Jon Ewing tells us.
- The city has hit its resource limit, and long-term emergency support — like hotel lodging — is over for newcomers who aren't already within its shelter system.
Reality check: Similar efforts have been made by officials from Chicago and New York to "discourage" travel — but it hasn't stopped people from heading there, Ruben Garcia, who heads Annunciation House, which operates several immigrant shelters in El Paso, told Denverite.
The other side: Johnston's new policy is raising alarm among local service providers and advocacy groups, who call it "short-sighted" and "uninformed."
- "The unwelcoming policy will push people who have a support network here to arrive in another city where they do not. It will separate people from loved ones and likely destabilize communities in other receiving cities," AFSC Colorado shared in a statement with Axios Denver.
If migration patterns hold true — and President Biden doesn't issue the executive order he's hinted at to significantly limit southern border crossings by the end of this month — city officials say a surge could be on the way in late spring.
