“Ah-Ha” Moments and a Few Tears:
Community Discusses the Migrant Crisis in Colorado
By Susan M. Thornton, MS
Fifty-four people attended the very successful March 2, 2024, workshop sponsored by Immigrant Pathways Colorado (IPC). Titled “Supporting Immigrants: Where Do We Go from Here?” the workshop was held in the Waring Theater at Arapahoe Community College.
Three professionals – Christina Brown, attorney and chief executive officer of the Colorado Asylum Center, Anthony Cherwinski, director of the Office of New Americans, and Ivon Romo, president and founder of the Miel Foundation – described what they are seeing in the community as migrants come to Colorado in unprecedented numbers.
Brown noted that the Colorado Asylum Center used to receive 40 requests for assistance per week as immigrants applied to stay and work a in the United States. Now, she said, the Center is seeing 200 or more applicants each week. It takes newcomers from six to eight months to get a work permit, she said, noting that the goal of the Federal government appears to be denying immigrants the right to work and support their families.
Cherwinski described the office he heads as serving as a voice for policies beneficial to New Americans at the state level. His goal is to improve migrants’ social, cultural and physical integration, he stated. A total of 19 other states have similar offices, he said.
Cherwinski also stated that there are “huge workforce gaps” in Colorado. His office is working to remove barriers that prevent newcomers from working to support themselves and their families. “Immigrants are an essential workforce both now and in the future,” he stated, adding that today there are two jobs available for every unemployed person in Colorado. The business leaders he meets with recognize this reality, he said.
Romo, described how her nonprofit helps newcomers improve their English, teaches immigrants their rights, and helps newcomers seek work permits.
Difficult Immigrant Experiences
Three immigrants to the U.S. also spoke at the workshop.
Kate, an immigrant from the Ukraine, emphasized that most immigrants to the U.S. want to work and support their families, but are prevented by Federal policies from doing so. Although she has a journalism degree from Ukraine and has obtained Temporary Protected Status, that status is not permanent and could end at any time, making life uncertain for her. It took her three years to obtain a visa to enter the U.S., she said, noting that “there are so many complications” for newcomers.
Khiria, an immigrant from Libya, came from a family that had two wives and where she was one of 23 children. A serious student who loved education, Khiria was frustrated that she had to spend her childhood study time tending her grandmother’s sheep. It took her years to get a student visa to study in the U.S; eventually she was allowed to enter and in 2016 earned a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Colorado. When her father became seriously ill, she returned to Liby to see him. Then covid hit and it took her months before she could get permission to return to Colorado.
The third immigrant speaker was Xeni, who worked to preserve historic buildings in Ukraine with her architectural degree. A grant from IPC helped her seek the retraining she needed to be able to work in the U.S.
Praising the immigrants at the workshop for sharing their stories, moderator and IPC co-chair Jennifer Guiddice, said, “This is the face of bravery.”
Susan Thornton, founder and co-chair of IPC, noted that many professionals – doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers and even pilots – must be retrained before they can work in their chosen professions in Colorado. This is an area where IPC’s self-development grants help, she said.
Arapahoe County Commissioner and IPC Board member Carrier Warren-Gully observed that business leaders are seeing the need for immigrants in the workforce, saying that in 2025, Arapahoe County will have more people over retirement age than under. Colorado is far behind in providing resources that people need, such as affordable housing and mental health services, she said, noting that the state now is “really far behind in providing resources.” The situation in Colorado is “a perfect storm,” she said.
Those attending the workshop were urged to volunteer with and help fund organizations that work with newcomers, to get to know newcomers one-on-one, and to share what they learned at the workshop with others.
