Megan Hope
Late last month, Denver officials announced the closure of several rec centers that sheltered more than 4,200 migrants bused here in early December. The reason: Many people traveled on to other cities or were transferred to short-term housing run by community organizations.
But after President Joe Biden recently announced that up to 30,000 people from Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Cuba would be allowed to enter the country each month, the need for sustainable support is greater than ever. That’s why we’ve got to have more federal dollars to bolster case management — the wrap-around social services that help migrants fleeing violence and persecution get on their feet while awaiting their asylum verdicts.
As one of four social workers at the nonprofit Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, I see this need daily. In Colorado, there are nearly 73,000 pending asylum cases, and applicants wait an average of 1,239 days — 3.3 years — to learn if they can make a permanent home here. During that time, it’s much better for migrants and Coloradans alike if we can help people become self-sufficient, rather than have them depend on limited shelter space.
Our social workers help people seeking asylum to navigate the confounding limbo they face. Most are not eligible for a work permit until six months after they apply for asylum. Only those actually granted asylum are eligible for Medicaid. We try to help asylum seekers detained by immigration find sponsors to provide initial housing and basic support. We inform families with cases before the Denver Immigration Court about food pantries, rental assistance, school enrollment, and medical and mental health care. When people are granted asylum, we ensure they are connected to resettlement agencies and economic assistance programs.
But organizations like RMIAN can barely keep up with the needs of newcomers, especially when we already have commitments to serve survivors of crime, people with mental health disabilities and other immigrant populations. Each of our social workers support roughly 30 clients at a time, but that’s a drop in the bucket, and our limited capacity means we’re often referred only the most urgent or complex cases.
Our emergency shelters have closed, but our city is still called upon to help those in need.
So many more people would greatly benefit from our expertise in cobbling together resources for people awaiting immigration status. It’s money well spent. Not only do we help asylum seekers become the productive contributors they want to be — people who can alleviate our chronic shortage of essential workers — but such investments also ensure better access to housing and prevent the need for emergency services later.
In 2017, a federal case management pilot program offered legal help, housing referrals, medical care, English classes and assistance obtaining identity documents to more than 2,000 migrants in five cities. It costs just $38 per person per day, which is significantly less than holding people in detention (an average of $134 per person per day). The Trump administration terminated the program prematurely, but nevertheless, it was endorsed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, because 99% of participants appeared for their mandated check-ins and hearings. Most important to me, the program recognized the dignity of people who simply want to live in peace and safety. I’ve seen many migrants win asylum here and become successful — whether they’re buying homes, pursuing educational degrees, landing good jobs or volunteering to help people who arrive after them.
Our emergency shelters have closed, but our city is still called upon to help those in need. We have a cost-effective, common-sense solution. Case management empowers the world’s most persecuted people and benefits us all.
Megan Hope, LMSW, is social service project director at the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network Westminster. This commentary is republished from Colorado Newsline under a Creative Commons license.
- Students Help Prepare Meals for More Than 200 Students, Teachers - December 12, 2024
- Resources Are Expanding for Older Adults on Their Own - December 12, 2024
- ‘Gas on a Dumpster Fire’: Immigration Policy Under Former President - December 12, 2024