Group of migrants sends list of demands to Denver’s mayor
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the attribution on a quote.
DENVER (KDVR) — A group of migrants staying at an encampment in Denver sent a list of demands to the mayor’s desk.
That group said if their demands are met, they will voluntarily stay in city-funded shelters and leave their encampment where families, including young children, still live in tents.
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The migrants have been lobbied by Denver Human Services to get off the street and into shelters — an offer that remains, according to city officials. But they are holding out and said the city has reneged on its deal with them, while the city maintains it will continue to offer services to migrants that choose shelter over encampments.
“The camp as a collective came up with a list of demands,” V Reeves, a migrant advocate, said.
That came after a petition by city officials to move people from an encampment near train tracks and under a bridge to indoor shelters funded by the city.
“This morning, they sent buses to take people over without presenting that document and without having any kind of signature for accountability,” Reeves said.
That is how the city responded instead of meeting their demands, according to Reeves.
‘What we do not want is families on the streets of Denver’
“We’ve been offering time and shelter, basically just trying to get families to leave that camp and come inside,” said Jon Ewing, with Denver Human Services.
Ewing said shelter comes with its perks, namely getting out of conditions outdoors.
“Which comes with three square meals a day,” Ewing said. “You can cook your own if you like to.”
How you can help migrants in Denver
That is one of the main demands from the migrants, who have had grievances about the food provided by the city.
“There have been so many complaints about the food being spoiled or not being enough and malnutrition amongst children,” Reeves said.
Migrants who stay in shelters are often put on a path toward a work permit. Reeves said the migrants at the encampment have not received the same benefits.
“They’re not receiving any kind of official housing or immigration document support, which is incredibly necessary for them to be able to navigate the bureaucracy around these systems,” Reeves said.
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The city said its offer comes with these benefits.
“What do you qualify for? What do you not qualify for? What might be something that is a feasible path for you to success that is not staying on the streets of Denver?” Ewing said. “We try to compromise. We try to figure something out. You know, at the end of the day, what we do not want is families on the streets of Denver.”
What are the demands from migrants?
In all, the migrants presented 13 demands to the city of Denver. Messages shared with FOX31 show the demands are:
Migrants will cook their own food with fresh, culturally appropriate ingredients provided by the City instead of premade meals – rice, chicken, flour, oil, butter, tomatoes, onions, etc… Also people will not be punished for bringing in & eating outside food.
Shower access will be available without time limits & can be accessed whenever – we are not in the military, we’re civilians.
Medical professional visits will happen regularly & referrals/connections for specialty care will be made as needed.
All will receive the same housing support that has been offered to others. They cannot kick people out in 30 days without something stable established.
There needs to be a clear, just process before exiting someone for any reason – including verbal, written & final warnings.
All shelter residents will receive connection to employment support, including work permit applications for those who qualify.
Consultations for each person/family with a free immigration lawyer must be arranged to discuss/progress their cases, & then the City will provide on-going legal support in the form of immigration document clinics & including transportation to relevant court dates.
The City will provide privacy for families/individuals within the shelter.
No more verbal or physical or mental abuse will be permitted from the staff, including no sheriff sleeping inside & monitoring 24/7 – we are not criminals & won’t be treated as such.
Transportation for all children to & from their schools will be provided until they finish in 3 weeks.
No separating families, regardless of if family members have children or not. The camp will stay together.
The City must schedule a meeting with the Mayor & those directly involved in running the Newcomer program ASAP to discuss further improvements & ways to support migrants.
The City must provide all residents with a document signed by a City official in English & Spanish with all of these demands that includes a number to call to report mistreatment.
The city continues to bring buses to the encampment for any migrants choosing to leave the encampment and go to a congregate shelter or hotel.
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