DeGette, Caraveo call for more federal support to help address influx of migrants arriving in Denver

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Yadira Caraveo (D-CO) sent a letter today 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.

May 11, 2023

The Honorable President Joseph R. Biden

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Biden:

Thank you for your Administration’s efforts to support communities across the country as they address the humanitarian needs of migrant families and individuals entering the United States. 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.

Starting in December 2022, Colorado saw a surge of migrants and asylum seekers. While state and local officials have done a commendable job in welcoming these individuals by providing food, shelter, health services, transportation, and other social services, their arrival put a strain on limited state and local resources.

As we near the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, we urge your Administration to continue working with all levels of government, including the U.S. Congress, as well as state and local leaders, to coordinate further support and prepare for the possibility of additional arrivals. We also urge you to continue to provide updates to migrants and asylum seekers on the many legal pathways the Department of Homeland Security has announced that should be used for entry and processing.

To date, Colorado has spent $8.35 million while Denver has spent more than $14 million to feed, shelter, and care for more than 7,000 migrants. Since Colorado is closer to the border than many other final destinations, our community is already seeing an increase in new arrivals. In fact, Denver has welcomed more than 200 migrants daily since May 4, 2023, with nearly 400 arriving on May 9, 2023. Additionally, the number of people using local shelters has doubled compared to the previous week.

We appreciate the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) recent announcement on the allocation of funds for the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the City and County of Denver through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program – Humanitarian (EFSP-H) program. 1 Also, we strongly agree that any subsequent round of funding from FEMA must be “focused on the needs of interior cities.”

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, we ask that future funding be made available expeditiously and with maximum flexibility for affected towns and communities whose financial obligations may include administrative costs, such as staffing. This will better support our state and local governments as well as nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that are on the frontlines of caring for the arriving migrants.

Thank you again for your Administration’s ongoing attention to and consideration of our requests. We stand ready to work with you in the best interest of Coloradans on these crucial matters, and we look forward to your response.

Sincerely,