Denver is considering allowing non-citizens to serve as police officers and firefighters, potentially changing the city charter to enable migrants with work authorization to take on these public safety roles.
Mayor Mike Johnston said, “We have filled every single hotel room that we have available in the city and county of Denver.”
The proposal may be introduced in April and would require a ballot initiative in November.
The fire chief and police chief support the idea, and the city is facing challenges due to an influx of illegal migrants, leading to budget cuts and strained resources.
The city’s population has increased significantly due to the arrival of new migrants, exacerbating existing issues such as homelessness.
Denver city officials wrote in a statement, “This influx of migrants is straining capacity, and based on current projections, could force the city to cut as much as $180 million from its annual budget.”
Democratic leaders in similar cities have advocated for work authorizations to help migrants become self-sufficient.
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