Denver teams with associations to host migrant work visa clinics

Many migrants in Denver are working odd jobs to get by
Migrants can get work visas while awaiting their case but face long waits
Nonprofits aid migrants in obtaining work permits via a new program

Updated: Feb 20, 2024 / 06:06 AM CST

DENVER, CO – JANUARY 30: Venezuelans, who did not want to be identified, try to make money by cleaning windshields of drivers at stoplights at Colorado Blvd and Colfax avenue on January 30, 2024. Venezuelan migrants are looking for ways to make money while in limbo seeking asylum and work visas. On a good day, a group of Venezuelan migrants at work cleaning windshields at busy Denver intersections for 12 hours might make around $70 — splitting the money between 10 or more people. Despite the low payoff, that work has become a common sight across the city in recent months: Men and women standing on road medians or sidewalks, squeegees and bottles of cleaning liquid in hand, offering quick window washes while drivers wait for a green light. At the intersection of Speer Boulevard and Zuni Street on Tuesday evening, several migrants said drivers have mostly treated them with kindness, kicking in a few bucks here and there. Sometimes, they’ve received angry responses, along with aggression from some business owners and police officers, as their presence has prompted concerns — as well as efforts by Denver police to warn about safety risks and potential violations of local laws. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

DENVER (NewsNation) — Officials in Denver continue to urge the federal government to expedite work permits for migrants, as the fiscal burden of housing thousands of asylum-seekers is forcing the city to cut back on services such as the Department of Motor Vehicles.

In the past year, tens of thousands of Venezuelan migrants have arrived in the Mile High City seeking asylum in the U.S. However, the asylum process can take years due to overwhelmed federal immigration courts. While federal law permits migrants to obtain work permits while awaiting their case, they still encounter long waiting periods depending on how they applied for asylum.

During the winter months, migrants can be seen working odd jobs such as cleaning houses, shoveling snow and cleaning windshields at busy intersections, often earning cash under the table.

Nonprofit groups in the city are taking proactive measures to assist migrants by helping them sign up for work authorization permits through a new program. These permits not only provide migrants with legal authorization to work but also offer a layer of security, reducing the risk of exploitation by employers.

This comes as employers in Denver are grappling with a labor shortage, particularly in construction. The mayor’s office is collaborating with legal partners to assist hundreds of migrants in applying for work permits, aiming to address the workforce demand.

Many migrants are eligible for permits because they entered the country legally through the CBP One app.

Timing for these permits is crucial, as the city has already begun removing migrant families from shelters, forcing them to the streets as the city resumes length-of-stay policies.

Eligible migrants attended work authorization clinics, where nearly 400 newcomers received assistance in submitting applications with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

To address the financial challenges posed by the migrant influx, Mayor Mike Johnston is advocating for federal funding. In the meantime, he’s taken significant actions, reallocating $10 million from the contingency fund and $15 million from a business remodel fund.

The city is strategically managing its budget by keeping positions vacant and conducting a thorough review of contracts and programs. These measures aim to lessen the impact on crucial services, including DMV offices and recreation centers.