Denver Mayor Mike Johnston revealed a significant shift in the city's response to the migrant crisis, extending support to six months for approximately 1,000 spaces. This decision comes after unsuccessful attempts to secure federal aid and substantial budget cuts due to the city assisting nearly 41,000 migrants since the end of 2022.
The new program in Denver will place asylum seekers in apartments for up to six months, offering job and skill training, certification opportunities, unpaid work experience, food assistance, and aid with asylum applications. The aim is to provide intensive preparation while individuals wait for a work permit, as mandated by federal law.
Contrasting with other cities like New York City and Chicago, which have implemented shorter shelter stays, Denver's approach focuses on providing comprehensive support during the initial six-month period. The city's costs for supporting migrants are expected to be significantly lower than initially projected, with services like recreation centers being reinstated after being temporarily cut.
The Denver Asylum Seeker Program will prioritize the approximately 800 migrants currently in the city's shelters, with a cap of around 1,000 individuals expected to be reached soon. The city will continue to operate a congregate shelter with stays limited to 24 to 72 hours, anticipating that many new arrivals will either move on to other locations or settle with family and friends.
The program's success has been facilitated by community members offering their apartments, rental assistance without requiring U.S. citizenship, and partnerships with nonprofits providing debit cards for food. Mayor Johnston expressed confidence in the program's effectiveness, stating that Denver will share its strategies with other cities nationwide.
Despite facing challenges in securing federal funding, Denver remains committed to upholding American values by supporting asylum seekers and providing them with the resources needed to integrate successfully into society.
