A Denver official, Andres Carrera, recently urged migrants in the city to consider leaving for other US cities, as he warned that staying in Denver would result in further suffering due to a lack of resources. In a video obtained by 9 News, Carrera expressed that the opportunities in Denver were limited and that migrants may have better prospects in cities like New York or Chicago. He offered to provide bus tickets paid for by the city to help migrants reach their desired destinations, emphasizing that Denver had reached its limit in supporting migrants.
Carrera, who serves as the city’s newcomer communication liaison and is also the political director for Mayor Mike Johnston, highlighted the strain on Denver’s resources due to the influx of migrants. He stated that Denver can only house individual migrants for two weeks and migrant families with children for six weeks before they would need to find alternative accommodations. This situation has been exacerbated by possible budget cuts faced by the city. Carrera’s message to migrants was clear – they may have a better chance at finding long-term shelter and job opportunities in cities like New York or Chicago.
The issue of an overwhelming number of migrants has been a challenge faced by major cities across the US for over a year. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has been vocal about diverting migrants to so-called sanctuary cities, with over 100,000 migrants being transported by bus since August 2022. New York, in particular, has struggled to accommodate the surge of newcomers, with Mayor Eric Adams describing the situation as a crisis. Mayor Adams has also suggested that migrants explore other regions in the country for better support as the city’s resources have been strained.
During Carrera’s conversation with the migrants in Denver, he offered them the option to leave for other cities and even up to the Canadian border, though the city clarified that they would only transport migrants near the northern border, not across it. Despite his offer, only a few migrants expressed interest in leaving, with one migrant responding that everyone wanted to stay in Denver. This indicates that despite the challenges, there are migrants who are committed to remaining in Denver, possibly due to personal connections or other reasons that make them hesitant to relocate.
The Denver official’s words reflect the difficult decisions faced by migrants seeking refuge in the US and the complex issues surrounding the country’s immigration system. Despite the challenges in accommodating migrants, cities like Denver continue to grapple with limited resources and the need to support vulnerable populations. Carrera’s message serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by migrants and the importance of finding solutions that balance humanitarian concerns with practical limitations. The situation in Denver is just one example of the broader issue of migration that cities across the US are grappling with, highlighting the need for comprehensive and sustainable approaches to address this complex issue.
