The High Cost of Compassion: Denver's Struggle to Manage Influx of Illegal Immigrants and Rise in Homelessness
As the immigration crisis continues to escalate, the city of Denver is feeling the strain of absorbing an influx of illegal immigrants, exacerbating the already critical problem of homelessness. Mayor Mike Johnston revealed during a budget hearing this week that the city's $20 million 2024 budget for responses to migrants will run out in just four short months if the current rate of absorption continues.
According to Councilmember Serena Gonzales Guttierez, her office has been receiving calls from migrant families who are already facing eviction from apartments that social workers had helped them secure. This is directly related to the fact that the federal government does not allow undocumented migrants to work, leaving them unable to pay rent and support themselves.
Mayor Johnston emphasized that these migrants are desperate for work, with some resorting to showing up at Home Depot parking lots in search of day labor. However, Denver is not turning a blind eye like some other cities who refuse to shelter migrants and pay for their onward travel. Instead, the city is facing the reality of the situation head on and providing shelters and services to those in need.
But the cost of providing shelter and food to these migrants, at a rate of $5,000 per person per month, is putting a strain on the city's budget. At this rate, the $20 million budgeted for the response in 2024 will be used up in just four months. This raises concerns about how the city will continue to support these migrants and address the homelessness crisis in the long term.
In the meantime, Denver is treating these immigrants found in homeless encampments just like any other person living on the streets. They are being offered shelter services and support from the Homelessness Outreach Street Team (HOST). The team has encountered families living on the streets and is currently working to find the best ways to support them.
The situation in Denver serves as a glaring example of the consequences of the current failed U.S. immigration policies. The federal government's failure to address the issue of illegal immigration has led to a burden on cities like Denver, which are left to deal with the aftermath.
As Mayor Johnston stated, "There are other cities that are refusing to shelter migrants, so they don't arrive in their cities. We're not doing that." But the city cannot continue to bear the burden alone and needs support from the federal government to find a long-term solution to this crisis.