The city of Denver cleared out two migrant encampments under a bridge located near Denver International Airport on Wednesday, May 8. The land is privately owned by railroad company Union Pacific.
The Denver government petitioned for the migrants to move to shelters that are operated and funded by the city. However, migrants staying at the encampments had previously sent a list of demands to Mayor Mike Johnston, D, saying they would not leave until the city met their requirements.
Some of the demands put forward by migrants included the freedom to prepare their own meals, access to showers without time constraints, regular medical appointments with referrals to specialized care, support for housing and employment and transportation assistance. Migrants also asked the city to provide free immigration lawyers.
“At the end of the day, what we do not want is families on the streets of Denver,” said Jon Ewing, a spokesperson for Denver Human Services.
According to migrant advocate V Reeves, migrants who stay at city-run shelters are often working towards receiving a work permit. However, the migrants at the encampment do not receive those same benefits.
About 100 migrants accepted the city’s offer to move to city shelters Wednesday and the encampments were cleaned out.
It’s unclear though if the migrants demands were met.
According to Mayor Johnston’s office, Denver has served more than 40,000 migrants at a cost of more than $68 million in the last 17 months. Approximately $35 million of that amount was spent between December 2023 and March 2024.
