In July 2022, Colorado was on track to spend $12 million per year in state and local government benefits, professional licenses, and business permits for illegal aliens. By 2023, the Common Sense Institute of Colorado estimated that the surge in migrants between May 4th and May 15th would bring the total current cost to the City of Denver between $18.2 and $19.2 million, and by the end of 2023, the city of Denver would spend upwards of an additional $18 million to $23 million. If the number of migrants averages 50 individuals per day for the rest of the year, this would bring the total expense to the city between $36.6 million and $42.2 million.
The city has been tracking the number of migrants coming to the Denver metro area since December 2022, which was 16,836 migrants thru August 2023. On Sept. 2, 2023, the city was helping 980 people, but within a month it more than doubled to nearly 2,700. Nine buses arrived in the area on Oct. 1, and the city is now averaging 300 new arrivals each day. Obviously, at this rate the expense for this year will be well over the estimates and the ability for Colorado taxpayers to support these Democratic policies will be impossible requiring more federal money and an increase in the National debt.
The open border was the Democratic Party’s decision and thus they are responsible for the increased costs incurred by taxpayers. Hopefully, people will remember this when it is time to vote, but let’s focus for a moment on the immediate needs of the “invited guests” who hoped to escape corrupt governments and find a better life. |
The Village Exchange Center of Aurora is a community-focused organization serving diverse populations. In recent months the number of refugees and other immigrants who have showed up looking for services has multiplied. Building pressures, serving refugees and undocumented immigrants have led to disagreements and fights as a shortage of resources puts people in conflict. Since last December, the centers have served more than 27,000 people, primarily from Venezuela, where widespread violence and economic instability have sent residents fleeing for safety and opportunity, often on foot through Central America and Mexico. |
The community efforts aren’t going unnoticed by Venezuelan migrants, such as 45-year-old Francisco Daniel. “There’s a lot of people with good hearts who come over here and support us,” he said on Thursday through a Spanish translator. He walked through eight countries and experienced “a lot of struggle” to get to Denver. Back home, he worked in an office as an engineer, and his wife had a job as a nurse. Now, Daniel’s family of five, including three girls under the age of 6, is among dozens of people living in tents near a motel, which has city-imposed time limits for migrants staying there. He said his priorities are to find antibiotics for his illness and to seek out better housing before winter. “I know the cold is horrible,” Daniel said.
Still staying in the motel was Simon Fernandez, 58, who recounted walking for 28 days after leaving Barinas, Venezuela, with his wife and two teenage children. They traveled through six countries, including the rain forests of Panama. Back at home, he earned a living as a trucker. “I love my country, but there’s a lot of hunger, and the government over there is horrible,” Fernandez told The Post. His family could stay in the motel only 14 days, as Denver has changed shelter limits. He then would have to find housing somewhere else. He’s walked the streets of Denver looking for jobs, but he’s still waiting on his work permit. “We came here to get a better life, to get a job and to pay taxes,” Fernandez said. “I don’t want the government to support me.”
Still staying in the motel was Simon Fernandez, 58, who recounted walking for 28 days after leaving Barinas, Venezuela, with his wife and two teenage children. They traveled through six countries, including the rain forests of Panama. Back at home, he earned a living as a trucker. “I love my country, but there’s a lot of hunger, and the government over there is horrible,” Fernandez told The Post. His family could stay in the motel only 14 days, as Denver has changed shelter limits. He then would have to find housing somewhere else. He’s walked the streets of Denver looking for jobs, but he’s still waiting on his work permit. “We came here to get a better life, to get a job and to pay taxes,” Fernandez said. “I don’t want the government to support me.”
Jose Daniel Andrade, 30, left his family back in Portuguesa, Venezuela. There, “the economic situation is hard,” he said. “There’s no jobs,” which is what he hopes to find in Colorado. Andrade has been in Denver three weeks. To reach the United States, he and two friends train-surfed, the dangerous practice of riding on top of rail cars. Both of his companions fell off and died. Even as the colder months loom, “I’m not scared about the winter coming in. If I have to face a winter, I have to face it.” As you can see, there is a lack of housing, food, clothing and other necessities and surviving in our cold weather in a tent is not conducive to good health, especially for children. Maybe, in addition to higher taxes both state and federal for immigrant expenses, we have to consider what we can voluntarily do for these unfortunate families. |
I know the frustration we have of millions of illegal immigrants coming across our southern border. We know there are sex traffickers, drug cartels, criminals and possibly terrorists entering our country, who will not contribute anything to our country except to cause problems and wreak havoc, but there are those families that come for a higher call, “the land of opportunity” for their family. Since our government opened the doors, ignored the problems, and was unprepared for the consequences, can we ignore the problem?
If you are moved to help, you can donate essential items to help support the migrant community. Needed items include garments like pants, shirts, coats, and winter weather items like hats, gloves and closed-toe shoes. Also needed will be blankets, flashlights with batteries, food, hygiene items such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste, etc., etc. You can drop off donations at Richard T. Castro Human Services Center: o 1200 N. Federal Blvd. o 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. o Monday-Friday o Schedule donation drops offs by calling (303) 514-0643. |
View the city of Denver’s Migrant Support website for more information on how to help. You can also donate to help support the nonprofit and government organizations that are providing services to incoming migrants. An organization in need of donations includes The Rose Community Foundation’s Newcomers Fund. A quick search on the internet will give you ideas of how to support.
Jon Ewing, a spokesman for Human Services, says the city just does not have enough staffing and shelter space if the rate of migrants coming in continues to increase, especially as the Denver area approaches colder temperatures. Instead, he is hoping for other communities around the Denver metro area to answer the call to help migrants coming in. Cities or towns interested in providing temporary shelter for newly arriving migrants should contact Adam Paul, director of regional affairs for the Mayor's Office, at [email protected].
Remember, this was caused by President Biden’s administration, not the innocent people coming here for more opportunities for their family.
Jon Ewing, a spokesman for Human Services, says the city just does not have enough staffing and shelter space if the rate of migrants coming in continues to increase, especially as the Denver area approaches colder temperatures. Instead, he is hoping for other communities around the Denver metro area to answer the call to help migrants coming in. Cities or towns interested in providing temporary shelter for newly arriving migrants should contact Adam Paul, director of regional affairs for the Mayor's Office, at [email protected].
Remember, this was caused by President Biden’s administration, not the innocent people coming here for more opportunities for their family.