Utah has started urging migrants not to come to the state due to a lack of shelter and other resources. Migrants, like Carmen Selene and Cleodis Alvorado from Venezuela, have struggled to find stable work and housing in cities like Denver and Salt Lake City. Many migrants who cannot find jobs in cities like New York and Chicago are moving to places like Salt Lake City, Seattle, and even small towns, often with the help of transportation tickets paid for by the cities they are leaving.
Migrants arriving in Utah are unable to secure jobs without work permits, which can only be obtained by applying for asylum, a process that requires legal assistance and a lengthy wait. As a result, many migrants rely on charity to survive, as they are unable to pay rent or afford basic necessities. The number of new cases filed in the immigration court in Salt Lake City has increased significantly from 2021 to 2023, indicating a growing migrant population in Utah.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox, while recognizing the challenges posed by migrant arrivals, has emphasized that the burden is primarily being shouldered by local entities and nonprofit organizations, rather than the state government. The influx of impoverished Venezuelans escaping their country’s economic crisis has added to the strain on resources in Utah, where officials and service providers are struggling to meet the needs of the growing population of asylum seekers.
Despite the booming economy and low unemployment rate in Utah, migrants are forced to work in the informal economy for below-minimum wages, as they do not have legal work authorization. Fights over work opportunities have erupted in Home Depot parking lots, and migrant families, along with homeless individuals, have been seen in encampments and shelters. While some organizations and churches are offering support to migrants, others are unable to accommodate them due to funding restrictions and capacity constraints.
The Road Home, a nonprofit organization in Salt Lake City, has been inundated with migrant families seeking shelter and assistance. The organization, along with other community groups, is working to provide support, English language classes, and housing to migrants. Many migrants face challenges in finding work due to delays in obtaining work permits, but some, like Luigi Machado, have been able to secure employment authorization after months of waiting. Machado and his family are now hopeful of pursuing the American dream in Utah, but the challenges faced by migrants in the state remain significant.
