Denver — In case you missed it, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet brought together Colorado U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, Colorado U.S. Representatives Jason Crow and Brittany Pettersen, and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston at the U.S. Capitol to call on Congress to take urgently needed action to support communities in Colorado who are receiving. Here’s what they’re saying:
Denver ABC: Denver mayor, Colorado’s Democratic congressional delegation urge feds to act on migrant crisis
“Sen. Bennet made a similar plea alongside the rest of the Colorado Democratic delegation, saying that what Denver is seeking is not ‘to make this somebody else’s problem or somebody else’s issue.’
“‘The citizens of Denver are stepping up to our responsibility as citizens of this great country, but they are not in charge of the immigration policy in the United States,’ Bennet told reporters gathered outside the U.S. Capitol. ‘Immigration is the responsibility of the federal government and this is one of those cases where we can’t just fail, blame each other – as we often do – walk away, and say it’s someone else’s responsibility. This is our responsibility.’
“Bennet argued that having expedited work authorization visas as part of a funding package in Congress would not only be beneficial for the migrants themselves but for the benefit of the United States and the benefit of the nation’s economy.
“‘I think it’s up to us to make sure we come together to do the immigration part of this. Nobody in Colorado wants transnational gangs running the immigration system for the United States. We should be running our immigration system,’ Bennet said.”
“Mayor Johnson and most of Colorado’s Democratic Congressional delegation stressing to the nation that Denver is reaching its breaking point with funding for the crisis… Colorado members of Congress backing him up, calling for congress to put aside partisan games to get a better federal system in place.”
“Senator Michael Bennet has long been an advocate for immigration reform, saying the nation can’t fault what local governments are doing to address migrants when the federal government hasn’t done its part.”
Washington Examiner: Denver mayor joins Colorado Democrats to urge migrant protections in border deal
“The mayor of Denver joined Colorado’s senators at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday to urge Congress to support cities being burdened by the migrant crisis.
“Bennet, a negotiator on the potential agreement, told reporters, ‘We should have as part of this deal a work authorization system in place that’s generous, not for the benefit of the people that are coming here, but for the benefit of the United States and the benefit of our economy.’”
Colorado Politics: Denver mayor, Colorado congressional delegation calls on Congress to step up with immigration reforms
“Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and Colorado’s Democratic Congressional delegation called on Congress Thursday to take urgent action to support Colorado communities struggling under the weight of a growing humanitarian crisis caused by surges of immigrants, many fleeing brutal regimes and crossing the U.S. border illegally.”
Denverite: In DC, Mayor Mike Johnston has one big ask: let migrants get to work
“Bennet knows better than most that just because the Senate reaches a deal, it will not necessarily blaze a path through the House. He was part of the 2013 group that came up with a bipartisan immigration reform bill that passed with strong bipartisan support in the Senate, only to see the Republican-controlled House fail to take up the bill because of pressure from its right flank.
“His plea to Speaker Johnson is not to do that this time. ‘This is one of those cases where we can’t just fail, blaming each other, as we often do, walk away and say it’s someone else’s responsibility,’ Bennet said.”
Denver Gazette: Denver mayor, Colorado congressional delegation calls on Congress to step up with immigration reforms
“‘What an irrational system to be one where people are coming here and then there’s no ability for them to work,” Bennet said. ‘It’s as if the country is insisting that you be on the public dole, insisting that you can’t support your family.’
“Work authorization — even for those who qualify for asylum — can take months.
“The ability to work, Bennet said, is not just for these immigrants, but ‘for the benefit of our economy.’”