By The Lobby
The influx of Venezuelan migrants in Denver, who have taken to washing windshields of stopped cars at busy intersections, is raising concerns about safety and the city’s sanctuary policies.
Tens of thousands of migrants in the city, facing ongoing delays in obtaining government work permits, have resorted to working in teams, cleaning vehicles waiting at intersections in exchange for cash. While some see this as reminiscent of their home countries, critics argue that it highlights the flaws in U.S. border policies and Denver’s burdensome sanctuary city strategy.
Yoli Casas, the executive director of the nonprofit migrant support group ViVe Wellness, compares the sight of window washers to her origins in Venezuela. She says that in South America, such as Venezuela, Colombia, and Peru, this type of work is common and is how some people make a living.
Denver7 spoke with Jhonny Paez from Venezuela, who said in Spanish that he was recently cited while he was out trying to earn money to feed his family. (Denver7/Twitter)
Despite the low pay, cleaning windshields for occasional tips has become a common sight across the city, with migrants standing on road medians or sidewalks, offering quick window washes to drivers waiting for a green light.
While some drivers have treated the migrants with kindness and offered a few bucks here and there, others fear that this activity could pose risks to drivers. The presence of the migrants has also prompted concerns from business owners and police officers, leading to warnings about safety risks and potential violations of local laws from the Denver Police Department (DPD).
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Washing windows on the street is considered “potentially dangerous,” and those working at high-traffic intersections could face citations or charges, including aggressive panhandling and soliciting, which carry penalties of up to 300 days in jail and a $999 fine.
Critics argue that this situation highlights the need to re-evaluate the admission of indigent migrants without destinations, skills, or a means to earn a living for themselves or their families.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, a Democrat, has also expressed concerns about the ongoing migrant crisis, stating that the city is reaching its “breaking point” without sufficient assistance from the federal government. While Denver may consider itself a welcoming city, the challenges it faces in dealing with the consequences of unregulated migration cannot be ignored.