The contract to provide shelter for newly-arrived immigrants in Denver has increased from its original amount of $400,000 to up to $25 million. The Denver City Council approved a contract with Colorado Hospitality Services to pay for hotel units for immigrants who have illegally crossed the country’s southern border. The city originally approved $378,486 in May, but the number of immigrants being housed has since increased from 400 to 3,782.
The money for the contract will come from the city’s Border Crisis Special Revenue Fund, and the council will consider a $25 million cash infusion from other funds. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has warned that the city is reaching a breaking point and anticipates spending $180 million this year if the influx of immigrants continues.
Johnston and Colorado’s Democratic delegation have called on Congress to take urgent action to support communities dealing with the crisis. Meanwhile, a $118 billion compromise proposal to address border security and asylum laws is meeting opposition from Republicans in both chambers. Denver taxpayers are shouldering the majority of the costs, despite some state and federal grants.