One of the consequences of last Sunday's controversial presidential election in Venezuela is that it could spark yet another migratory wave from the country. "The largest exodus in Latin America's recent history", as the U.N. described it, has already forced more than 7.7 million people to leave the country. And depending on how the political situation continues to evolve, that number could rise, and fast.
Such a crisis may inevitably lead to a significant increase in Venezuelans fleeing the country, with many heading for the U.S.-Mexico border. And cities like Denver, which already experienced a massive influx of 42,000 migrants since December 2022, are preparing for a possible new wave.
For context, a recent report by Common Sense Institute organization revealed that Denver spent between $216 million and $340 million to shelter migrants who arrived in the city throughout 2023.
As Axios reports, the main concern for Denver officials this time around has to do with housing and support services, a field that cost them a whopping $71 million in the aforementioned time span.
"Should the city see another surge of arrivals, officials don't have any intent of going back to the model of providing several weeks of shelter or anything along those lines," said Jon Ewing from Denver Human Services to Axios. In that regard, the city's new immigration strategy would allow newcomers access to two short-term shelters for a maximum of 72 hours .
Besides housing, other measures are being put into place to cater to other aspects of immigrant life in case of another influx. For example, a new state law, set to go into effect on August 7, will grant funding to community-based organizations that support new immigrants. These organizations are meant to "provide culturally and linguistically appropriate navigation of services and programs to migrants who are within one year of arrival in the United States."
Nevertheless, the possibility of a new wave of arrivals is still up in the air and new measures will probably have to wait. Besides the ongoing political turmoil in Venezuela, elections in the U.S. will also be a determining factor. Immigration has already significantly been reduced since Biden's border crackdown and just the threat of a Trump presidency pushed hundreds to take part in a new caravan headed for the U.S. which hopes to arrive before the Republican takes office and locks the border down even tighter.
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