Officials in Denver are currently facing challenges with evicting illegal aliens from city-supported migrant shelters due to inadequate funding. This has resulted in many migrants moving to illegal tent encampments. Some have found refuge in private homes, as volunteers have stepped up to take them in for a stipend.
The influx of over 40,000 illegal border crossers under President Joe Biden’s administration has strained Denver’s resources. In February, officials warned migrants that funding was depleted, leading to the potential eviction of those overstaying the 42-day limit in shelters.
Many of these individuals are unable to work legally without a federal work permit, leaving them unable to sustain themselves. As a result, some have resorted to setting up tent encampments on public lands, though law enforcement occasionally intervenes.
One such encampment was led by a pro-Palestinian activist named V. Reeves, who emphasized the disparities between city statements and migrants’ realities. Reeves cited parallels between the struggles of illegal migrants and the fight for a free Palestine, attributing both to a colonial structure that devalues non-white bodies.
Reeves and the encampment issued demands for free essentials for migrants, with Hope Has No Borders, a left-wing group, encouraging homeowners to host migrant families. Around 500 migrants have been placed in private homes through this program, with a hotline set up for interested homeowners.
While some communities are accepting of migrants, others, like Monument, have enacted rules to prevent them from entering their areas due to budget constraints. Concerns have been raised about the vetting process for migrants in private homes, as well as the lack of federal records on these individuals.
As the situation continues to evolve, Denver residents and officials are navigating how best to address the challenges presented by the influx of illegal migrants.
