Denver City Wire

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On May 11, 2023, U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Yadira Caraveo (D-CO) sent a letter calling on President Joe Biden to release additional federal funding to help interior cities, such as Denver, address a growing number of migrants that are arriving daily.

In their letter to Biden, which was also signed by Reps. Jason Crow (D-CO), Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), the lawmakers urged the president to release additional funding from FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program, which Congress set aside as part of the 2023 government spending bill to help cities experiencing a sudden influx of migrant arrivals.

Since December 2022, more than 9,000 migrants and asylum seekers have arrived in the Mile High City. While state and local officials have taken extraordinary steps to welcome these individuals – including by providing them food, shelter, health services, transportation, and more – the increasing number of migrants arriving daily has put a strain on the limited local resources available.

“We write to urge your continued support by expediting the release of the remaining funds from the Shelter and Services Program (SSP), which will provide critical support to interior cities, like Denver, that are experiencing another influx of migrant arrivals in recent days,” the lawmakers wrote. “To avoid further strain on state and local resources because of proper humanitarian support being provided to new arrivals, it is vital that future rounds of funding are robust for both interior and border communities—to at minimum reimburse communities such as Denver for the full cost of expenses incurred while responding to the influx of migrants.”

In addition to calling for additional federal resources to help Denver address the recent influx of migrants arriving there, the lawmakers also urged the administration to continue providing updates to migrants and asylum seekers on the many legal pathways that will be available to gain entry into the U.S.

According to state and local officials, Colorado has spent more than $8.35 million to help address the growing number of migrants that have arrived in recent months. Denver, meanwhile, has spent more than $14 million to feed, shelter and care for the more than 7,000 migrants that have arrived there since December, according to a letter Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock sent to the secretary of Homeland Security on May 6.

According to local officials, more than 200 migrants are arriving in Denver daily since May 4 – including nearly 400 migrants that arrived on May 9 alone. The number of migrants currently housed in local shelters across the city also continues to grow – with more than 1,000 currently housed in shelters across Denver.

Below is the text of the lawmakers’ letter to Biden. A .pdf copy is available here.

Original source can be found here.