Pregnant Migrants Struggle to Survive on the Streets of a Colorado City

AURORA, Colo. — Ivanni Herrera was eight months pregnant when she was forced to leave her Denver homeless shelter in November.

With her 4-year-old son, Dylan, in tow, she stepped into the cold night, dragging a suitcase filled with donated clothes and blankets sourced from the Microtel Inn & Suites — one of ten hotels housing over 30,000 migrants in Denver, many fleeing Venezuela.

Their first stop was Walmart, where they purchased a tent using money collected from street begging. They chose a grassy median on a busy street in Aurora, a suburb known for its immigrant community, to set up their new home.

“We wanted to go somewhere where there were people,” said Herrera in Spanish. “It feels safer.”

That night, the temperature dropped to 32 degrees. As she cuddled her son to keep him warm, Herrera couldn’t hold back her tears.

The last two years have seen a substantial influx of Venezuelan families seeking a better life in the United States. Unfortunately, many are struggling amidst community disputes over assistance for newcomers and general feelings of uncertainty.

Inability to work legally due to complex and pricey paperwork has left many homeless. Herrera, inspired by social media portrayals of successful immigrant families, had hoped for a brighter future. Back in Ecuador, where she had fled due to Venezuela’s economic collapse, her dreams had been fueled by images of families successfully migrating.

The reality, however, struck quickly after her arrival in the U.S. Instead of the anticipated success, she began to suspect the glossy images were part of some network of deception, a “red de engaño.”

After days of being without proper shelter, she developed an infection that caused considerable discomfort and concern for her unborn child.

Doctors at a Denver hospital were alarmed that she and her child were forced to sleep outside in the harsh cold, urging her to remain there until the weather improved. Days after forcing her out, Denver paused its policy, allowing homeless migrants to stay in shelters through winter, but only within city limits.

Aurora, as Colorado’s third-largest city, has been resistant to helping migrants, with local officials recently stating they lacked the financial resources to do so. Despite this, the community continues to draw in newcomers due to its affordability and Spanish-speaking population.

Denver has handled approximately 42,700 migrants since last year, providing services like temporary hotel stays and bus fare to other cities but has struggled to keep up with the influx.

Despite assurances of safety and support, Herrera refused to seek shelter in a hospital, fearing that it would separate her from her son, who she knew would be cold in the streets.

In March, another family from Venezuela, the Jaimez family, faced a similar fate. Evicted from their Aurora apartment, they sought help at a church food pantry. Uncertainty loomed as they couldn’t find work to pay their rent, accumulating a hefty debt.

Yawning challenges remained prevalent. Even though they were eligible for asylum status and work permits, the high cost and complexity of navigating the system added to their frustration.

Their situation serves as just one glimpse into the daily struggles migrants face. With fewer resources available, many families are left to fend for themselves as they encounter a system that seems ill-equipped to assist them.

After the closure of a tent encampment established by a Denver nonprofit, the Jaimez family again found themselves without a place to stay. They eventually ended up camping after hours of searching for support from local organizations.

Meanwhile, Denver officials expressed their intent to avoid homelessness among children, especially those arriving from precarious situations. However, the sheer volume of those seeking assistance far outstrips the available resources.

Ivanni Herrera’s family was later able to find temporary housing after her son’s birth, thanks to a local woman offering shelter. In her pursuit of stability, she and her close friend, Emily Rodriguez, find themselves in a vicious cycle of odd jobs, including house cleaning and shoveling snow, while also begging for money on the streets.

Though they recently gained eligibility to apply for work permits, the cost of doing so seemed insurmountable. They continue to navigate day-to-day uncertainties while trying to secure their family’s future.

When Herrera’s sister reaches out with hopes of reuniting with her and her daughter, Herrera is faced with the stark reality of her situation. She texts her sister to deny a request for financial assistance, revealing the difficult life she leads.

The promise of the American Dream remains distant for Herrera and many like her. They are left managing the gap between expectations and reality, struggling each day to survive while dreaming of a better future.

Source: AP