Staff Reports
The battle between the cities of Lakewood and Denver in Colorado over the handling of the illegal immigrant crisis has reached a fever pitch, with the residents of Lakewood voicing strong opposition to providing any assistance to their neighboring city.
Lakewood City officials had been considering taking a federal grant to aid Denver in dealing with the overwhelming influx of illegal immigrants. However, this proposal was met with fierce resistance from the residents of Lakewood, who packed into a meeting to express their concerns. They adamantly opposed the idea of using their city as a shelter for migrants from Denver, fearing that it would bring the border crisis directly into their own community.
Residents of Lakewood, CO unloaded on the city council last night after Denver suggested sending more illegals to their city and sheltering them on the taxpayer dime.
Illegals have brought crime, pr*stitut*on, and drugs to their quiet town.
Biden won this county by 18 points in… pic.twitter.com/2GZqegDw4W
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 14, 2024
The passionate residents highlighted their apprehensions about the potential strain on the city’s hospitals and infrastructure, as well as increased crime they believe may result from the arrival of more immigrants. The prospect of their tax money being used to support migrants also fueled their discontent and frustration.
The sentiment against assisting Denver was unmistakable, with residents expressing fears of undesirable social problems, including crime, drugs, and pr*stitution, being brought into their peaceful town by illegal immigrants.
Lakewood City Manager Kathy Hodgson sought to allay the concerns of residents by affirming that there were no plans to house illegal immigrants within Lakewood. She emphasized that the city’s discussions with Denver were aimed at understanding the migrant crisis and exploring potential ways to be a supportive neighbor to Denver, without directly offering shelter to migrants in Lakewood.
As tensions mount between the two cities, it is clear that the issue of illegal immigration has sparked deep divisions and anxieties within the community, particularly amid concerns about the potential economic and social impact it may have on Lakewood.
The article also highlights the broader ramifications of the illegal immigration crisis, with Denver officials grappling with the financial burdens of accommodating an influx of over 38,000 migrant newcomers since December 2022. The city’s hefty expenditure of approximately $46 million in 2023 for shelter and support for migrants underscores the substantial challenges posed by the crisis.
The voices of residents and business owners affected by the surge of illegal immigrant camps further underscore the far-reaching consequences, with a U.S. citizen who legally immigrated from Thailand expressing deep anguish over the adverse effects on her business and community.
As the debate rages on, it is evident that the issue of illegal immigration has become a flashpoint, igniting fervent opposition from the conservative residents of Lakewood, who are steadfast in their resistance to providing aid to the neighboring city of Denver.
