Denver migrants sent Mayor Mike Johnston list of 13 demands as they refused to clear encampment, move into shelter

Migrants in Denver on Monday submitted a list of 13 demands that the city must comply with before they leave the packed camp and head to shelters.

In its battle with Denver Human Services, the group refused to budge until an extensive list was met, including access to free immigration attorneys and fresh cooking ingredients. According to Fox 31.

The migrants, made up of families living under bridges and near railroad tracks, made the request after Mayor Mike Johnston petitioned for the group to be removed.

The group’s biggest request was to “prepare their own meals using fresh, culturally appropriate ingredients provided by the city, rather than ready-made meals: rice, chicken, flour, oil, butter, and tomatoes.” , onions, etc…Also, people will not be penalized for “bringing in food to eat outside,” a message shared with the outlet said.

V. Reeves, spokesperson for House Keys Action Network Denver (HAND), said: “We’re getting a lot of complaints about spoiled or inadequate food and malnutrition in children.” Stated.

The group also argued that “we are civilians, not military personnel,” and advocated unlimited access to showers without time limits.

1. Migrants create their own meals using fresh, culturally appropriate ingredients provided by the city in place of ready-made meals such as rice, chicken, flour, oil, butter, tomatoes, and onions. There is also no penalty for bringing in or eating food from outside. .
2. Access to the shower is unlimited and can be accessed at any time. We are civilians, not military personnel.
3. Visits with medical professionals occur regularly and referrals/connections to specialized treatment are made as needed.
4. Everyone will receive the same housing assistance that is available to everyone else. You can’t kick people out within 30 days unless something stable is established.
5. There should be a clear and fair process before terminating someone for any reason, whether verbal, written, or with a final warning.
6. All shelter residents will receive employment assistance, including work permit applications for those who qualify.
7. A free consultation with an immigration attorney should be arranged for each individual or family to discuss and proceed with their case. The city will then provide ongoing legal support in the form of an immigration documentation clinic, including transportation to relevant court dates.
8. The City will protect the privacy of families and individuals within the shelter.
9. No more verbal abuse, physical or emotional abuse from staff will be tolerated, including having the security guard sleep indoors and watch 24/7. We are not criminals and will not be treated as such.
10. All children will be provided with transportation to and from school until they graduate within three weeks.
11. We do not separate families, whether they have children or not. The camp continues together.
12. The city should urgently schedule a meeting with the mayor and those directly involved in running the newcomer program to discuss further improvements and ways to support immigrants.
13. The city must provide all residents with a document signed by a city employee in English and Spanish stating all of these requests, including a phone number to report abuse.

“We’ve been offering time and shelter, but basically just trying to get families to leave the camp and come inside,” said John Ewing, a spokesman for Denver Human Services. told the program.

The mayor’s office also granted migrants who had been staying for weeks on private property in Central Park owned by railroad company Union Pacific to stay for seven days instead of the required three at city shelters. Ta. According to 9News.

The newspaper reported Wednesday that about 100 people had accepted Denver’s offer as the camp was cleared from the site.

Last month, Mayor Mike Johnston launched a controversial policy. “Asylum Seeker Program” A facility that houses new immigrants staying in city-funded shelters in the City of Denver.

Immigrants can receive six months of rent and food assistance and free legal services for asylum applications while awaiting approval for work permits under the program.

They were allowed to stay in the shelter for 14 to 42 days, until Johnston drastically shortened that period to just 24 to 72 hours.

“All new immigrants will be on their own in 24 to 72 hours,” Reeves said in April. “This is a slap in the face and it’s time for an attack.”

The Mile High State has welcomed more than 40,000 immigrants since last year, the most per capita of any city in the nation, at a cost of more than $68 million.

Approximately $35 million was spent between December and March 2023 alone. According to Johnston’s office.

In March, property owners in Denver were asked to open their homes to immigrant families as four shelters closed due to budget concerns.

Congresswoman Lauren Boebert denounced the “stupid” immigration initiative.

“The City of Denver has now set up a hotline for residents to call illegal aliens and offer their homes to them,” Boebert said. said in X. “If you have space, we recommend hosting ‘immigrants’ for a while.” This is the stupidest and most ridiculous story I’ve ever heard. ”

Andres Carrera, a Denver city official, told a group of migrants staying at the shelter that the state capital doesn’t have enough resources to help them.

“If you want to stay here, we’re not going to block you…I tell you your road is not over,” Carrera said in Spanish, according to footage obtained by 9News. I’m here for this,” he said. “If you stay here, you will suffer even more, and I don’t want to see that situation.”