A group of illegal immigrants staying at an encampment in Denver, Colorado, that is set to be removed are refusing to leave until city leaders meet their demands.
The group sent a document detailing 13 of their demands to Mayor Mike Johnston, a Democrat, on Wednesday, according to the non-profit Housekeys Action Network Denver.
In a Facebook post, Housekeys Action Network Denver said the immigrants at the camp had requested that the “incredibly reasonable and doable changes take place” to ensure “long-term stability and opportunities for all.”
The non-profit also criticized what it said were the “poor conditions and lack of accountability that resulted in many of these same individuals finding themselves on the streets after having gone thru [sic] the system.”
According to Housekeys Action Network Denver, the group of immigrants has vowed to voluntarily leave the encampment and stay in indoor shelters funded by the city—as has been repeatedly requested by Denver Human Services—so long as their demands are met.
Their demands include that they are allowed to “cook their own food with fresh, culturally appropriate ingredients provided by the city instead of premade meals – rice, chicken, flour, oil, butter, tomatoes, onions, etc.” and that they “not be punished for bringing in and eating outside food.”
Shower access “will be available without time limits and can be accessed whenever,” the list states, with the group of immigrants adding: “We are not in the military, we are civilians.”
“Medical professional visits will happen regularly and referrals/connections for specialty care will be made as needed,” the list continues.
“All will receive the same housing support that has been offered to others,” it adds. “They cannot kick people out in 30 days without something stable established.”
List of Demands
Elsewhere, the group calls for a “clear, just process before exiting someone for any reason,” including verbal, written, and final warnings, and adds that all the immigrants should receive help with employment support, including work permit applications for those who qualify.
“Consultations for each person/family with a free immigration lawyer must be arranged to discuss/progress their cases, and then the City will provide on-going legal support in the form of immigration document clinics and including transportation to relevant court dates,” the group writes.
Meanwhile, the group of immigrants asked that city officials provide individuals and families with “privacy within the shelter” and transportation for all children to and from schools for the next three weeks.
The group is also calling for an end to alleged “verbal, physical and mental abuse” from staff and that no sheriff be allowed to sleep inside and monitor them 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“We are not criminals and won’t be treated as such,” the group writes. It is not clear if the group was referring to a sheriff sleeping inside the encampment or the city-funded indoor shelters.
Elsewhere, the group asked that families not be separated, regardless of whether or not they have children.
“The camp will stay together,” the group states.
Finally, the group demanded that the city schedule a meeting with Mr. Johnston and other individuals directly involved in running the Denver Newcomer program as soon as possible “to discuss further improvements and ways to support migrants.”
“The City must provide all residents with a document signed by a City official in English and Spanish with all of these demands that include a number to call to report mistreatment,” the group concluded.
Crisis Costing City
The group’s refusal to leave the encampment comes as Denver is battling with a $180 million budget gap as the illegal immigrant crisis continues to weigh heavily on the city.
In February, Mr. Johnston told reporters the city needs to slash roughly $18 million per month from public services throughout 2024 in order to fund the costs of providing services to illegal immigrants arriving in the city.
At the time, the Democrat called the cuts a “plan for shared sacrifice” that would help both “newcomers” illegally crossing the border and taxpayers who expected certain services in the city.
“This is what good people do in hard situations as you try to manage your way to serve all of your values. Our values are: we want to continue to be a city that does not have women and children out on the street in intense and 20-degree weather,” he said.
In its post on Facebook, Housekeys Action Network Denver said it was not up to Mr. Johnston to “accept and support the very migrants he says he appreciates and defends in his speeches.”
“Now is the time to support these individuals with sustainable, stable plans that also provide them with the autonomy and self-determination they want!!!” the organization said.
The Epoch Times reached out to Denver Human Services for further comment but did not receive a response by press time.
Caden Pearson contributed to this report.
From The Epoch Times