By Ingrid Castro-Campos and Nicole Speer
The growing immigration crisis along the Front Range has taken a back seat in political discussions and the local media in recent months. Those working to support Colorado’s new arrivals know the crisis continues nonetheless.
Like most complex issues, the diversity of immigration experiences among those arriving in our state varies depending on those who live with them. There are solutions despite this diversity. However, before we get to those solutions, there are some fundamental questions we need to address as a community:
Are we willing to listen to the experiences of families and individuals caught in our broken and biased immigration system?
Are we willing to help these new arrivals and proactively address this crisis?
Are we choosing to look away and put the consequences of our inaction on future community members?
We believe the answers should be a resounding “yes,” “yes,” and “no.”
Boulder County must recognize the urgent need to invest in solutions to address the immigration crisis. The ongoing challenges immigrants to the Front Range face demand a collaborative effort from businesses, schools, local governments and nonprofits. By fostering partnerships and creating a welcoming, solutions-focused environment, we can enhance our community’s resilience, strengthen our economy and uphold our commitment to equity. All stakeholders must recognize our shared responsibility and potential collective impact.
Immigrants contribute immensely to Boulder County’s cultural tapestry and economic vitality. Their resilience, entrepreneurial spirit and diverse perspectives profoundly enrich our community. However, systemic barriers and anti-immigrant rhetoric often hinder their integration and success. We must dismantle these obstacles and create pathways for immigrants to thrive.
As a community that prioritizes equity, we must also recognize the impacts of globalization and self-centered U.S. international policies on the rest of the continent, specifically those that have contributed to socioeconomic and political instability in Latin America. In addition to direct interventions that have undermined democracy for corporate profit, many commodities and luxuries we enjoy regularly have detrimental effects on the countries from which migrants come.
One of the most effective ways to support immigrants is through collaboration. Businesses can provide employment opportunities and foster a culture of inclusivity. They can help immigrants build a stable foundation for themselves and their families by offering job training programs, language and visa support, and fair wages. Moreover, partnering with local schools to provide educational resources and mentorship programs can enhance immigrant children’s academic success and social integration.
Local governments are pivotal in crafting policies that protect immigrant rights and promote inclusivity. As sanctuary cities, we must do more to ensure access to essential services and invest in community outreach programs, so we have a safe and supportive environment for immigrants to thrive. This is a significant responsibility and a powerful opportunity to positively impact the lives of immigrants and the community.
We would like to see cities in Boulder County partner with the County to establish a county-level office for new arrivals, as suggested recently by a group of local Latina leaders. This office, led by a full-time staff person with a dedicated budget, could serve as a central hub for coordinating regional efforts, partnering with local groups and providing vital support to new arrivals. By centralizing resources and expertise before the Front Range immigration crisis expands further into Boulder County, this office can proactively build relationships with businesses and other community partners, identify gaps in support, and ensure a more cohesive and effective response to the needs of immigrants. We need to be asking our state and local elected officials to create a plan for our region, and a central place for local governments, nonprofits, schools and businesses to coordinate regional efforts.
Investing in immigration solutions is a moral imperative and a strategic decision that ensures our economy’s sustainability. Immigrants are entrepreneurs, innovators and essential workers contributing to various sectors, from agriculture to technology. By providing immigrants with the support they need to succeed, we can drive economic growth, create job opportunities and foster innovation in our community. This directly benefits businesses, as it opens up a diverse pool of talent and potential customers, leading to increased economic prosperity.
Committing to equity and economic vitality requires more than words; it demands concrete actions. By investing in immigration solutions and welcoming new arrivals to our community, we demonstrate our commitment to a vibrant and economically sustainable community. Federal immigration law restricts immigrants’ abilities to work, forcing immigrants to depend on charity rather than employment. We must find solutions sooner rather than later to avoid a more significant catastrophe.
Our federal government and millennia of human history have shown that building walls are not a solution. By coming together as a community and demanding that our local governments invest in solutions to the immigration crisis, we can proactively build a more resilient, inclusive and prosperous Boulder County.
We return to the initial questions we must consider as a community: Are we willing to face the complex realities of people fleeing their countries due to violence, fear, and poverty that our government has contributed to? Are we willing to get to know these individuals, their journeys, and their hopes and find ways to welcome them to our community? Are we willing to assume collective responsibility and be part of the solutions?
Or are we simply going to ignore the fact that immigration will continue to grow as a social phenomenon that affects us all?
Migration is a natural part of the human experience, and our government’s past behaviors have exacerbated its need by negatively impacting the safety and well-being of millions of people. We invite you to act and support our neighbors by connecting with the local nonprofit organizations and business groups working to create solutions and asking our elected officials to support this work.
Ingrid Castro-Campos is a dedicated community member, social justice advocate, and a freelance English-Spanish interpreter and translator. Nicole Speer is Boulder Mayor Pro Tem and a Director of Research Services at CU Boulder. Both are writing in their personal capacities.
