Denver migrants issue 13 demands for shelter entry, including better food options and work permits.
A group of migrants in Denver have released a list of 13 demands that they say must be met before they will leave their street encampment and move to city-funded shelters.
The group stated that if their extensive list of demands is met, they will voluntarily leave their tents and go to the shelters funded by the city.
Denver Human Services has been trying to convince the migrants to move off the streets, and according to city officials, even with these new demands, the offer remains for those who decide to leave.
V Reeves, a migrant advocate, told KDVR that “the camp as a collective came up with a list of demands.” The list circulated on social media after the city started moving migrants from encampments under train tracks and into shelters earlier this week.
Reeves explained, “This morning, they sent buses to take people over without presenting that document and without having any kind of signature for accountability.” Below is a summary of the 13 demands.
1.
Migrants will cook their own food with fresh, culturally appropriate ingredients provided by the City instead of premade meals.
They also won’t be punished for bringing in or eating outside food.
2.
Shower access will be available without time limits and can be accessed whenever.
3.
Medical professional visits will happen regularly and referrals/connections for specialty care will be made as needed.
4.
All will receive the same housing support that has been offered to others, with no 30-day eviction notice unless something stable is established first.
5.
There needs to be a clear, just process before exiting someone for any reason – including verbal, written, and final warnings.
6.
All shelter residents will receive connection to employment support, including work permit applications for those who qualify.
7.
Consultations for each person/family with a free immigration lawyer must be arranged to discuss/progress their cases, and then the City will provide on-going legal support in the form of immigration document clinics and including transportation to relevant court dates.
8.
The City will provide privacy for families/individuals within the shelter.
9.
No more verbal or physical or mental abuse will be permitted from the staff, including no sheriff sleeping inside & monitoring 24/7 – migrants won’t be treated as criminals.
10.
Transportation for all children to and from their schools will be provided until they finish in three weeks.
11.
No separating families, regardless of if family members have children or not – the camp will stay together.
12.
The City must schedule a meeting with the Mayor and those directly involved in running the Newcomer program ASAP to discuss further improvements and ways to support migrants.
13.
The City must provide all residents with a document signed by a City official in English and Spanish with all of these demands, including a number to call to report mistreatment.
Reeves believes that instead of meeting their demands, the city chose to take action without consulting them first.
In response to this situation, the city has allocated over $100 million to provide housing, medical care, and education for asylum seekers, according to Mayor Mike Johnston.
However, amidst the ongoing migrant crisis, that number could reach $180 million – 15% of Denver’s annual budget.
Other sanctuary cities have begun to do the same, like Chicago previously emptying its state-run shelters at Rogers Park’s Leona Beach and Little Village’s Pietrowski Park.
