Standing Up for Immigrant Rights: Refugees Seek Recognition as Valued Community Members, Not Criminals

Story and Photos by Giles Clasen

Last May, the City of Denver swept a migrant encampment that had been home to individuals and families for two months on Union Pacific land near Central Park.

For many of those families, the Central Park encampment was a last resort after losing access to housing at makeshift shelters in hotels near the airport.

Most, if not all, of the newcomers who lived in the camp and flocked to Denver and other American cities in 2023 and 2024 had entered the country legally seeking asylum.

One individual in the camp who asked to be identified as Miguel, rather than his real name, walked with his family from Venezuela to the United States and escaped death multiple times during the journey. In Mexico, his friend froze to death while riding on a freight train known as La Bestia, or The Beast.

“We fell asleep leaning on each other, sitting on top of the train,” Miguel said. “He never woke up. I cried as we lowered his body and left him.”

Miguel and his family waited for two months in Mexico City to meet with US officials and receive an appointment to present to cross legally into the United States. He said that he and his family left Venezuela because he couldn’t make enough money selling food on the streets of Caracas.

According to Miguel, Venezuelan officials stole his earnings while threatening violence. He and his family were starving and without hope. They had no choice but to risk their lives on a journey that crossed through the lawless Darien Gap and half a dozen countries.

Miguel managed to save $600 over several years to fund his family’s escape. He brought them to the United States so that he could find work and his children could attend a good school and have a brighter future.

A child plays in the campsite. The camp would eventually double in size, housing more than 150 individuals.

Miguel’s story mirrored many of those who came to Denver seeking a better life.

In the year since the Central Park sweep, the political narrative has shifted to extremely harsh and often false claims demonizing all immigrants. President Donald Trump has scapegoated brave individuals like Miguel, blaming immigrants and other vulnerable populations for most of the nation’s problems.

In the earliest days of Trump’s second term, the immigrant rights movement was winning victories.

But the Trump team has changed their approach by simply ignoring constitutional rights and due process, which is why it is even more important than ever that people continue to speak up and defend immigrants and refugees who are here to build their lives and help build our communities.

Tom Homan, Trump’s so-called “border czar” told CNN in February, “[Immigrants have] been educated how to defy ICE; on how to hide from ICE. They call it ‘Know Your Rights.’ I call it how to escape arrest.”

Miguel never complained about living in a tent with his family. He was focused on finding a job and taking the next step to ensure he and his family could contribute to their adopted country and experience a better life.

“Yes, it was a little difficult to get here, but with God’s help I managed, and with God’s help we’ll be OK,” Miguel said.

To learn more about immigrant rights, or if you’re interested in volunteering, there are several organizations you can contact, including Hope Has No Borders at hopehasnoborders.org, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition at coloradoimmigrant.org, or Colorado Immigrant Rights at coloradoinfo@afsc.org.