Committee Approves Legislation to Support New Immigrants

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate Appropriations Committee approved Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Lisa Cutter’s, D-Jefferson County, legislation to support new immigrants.

HB24-1280 would create the Statewide Welcome, Reception, and Integration Grant Program to direct funding to community-based organizations that provide services to new immigrants within their first year in the United States.

“Colorado’s immigrant communities make our state stronger,” said Fields. “With the recent increase of new immigrants to our state, community organizations and local governments are struggling to keep up with the high demand for services. Increasing access to resources like employment and housing services will help new immigrants build successful lives in Colorado.”

“Colorado has seen a recent influx of new immigrants, and they often arrive with very little and no knowledge or connections to help them integrate,” Cutter said. “This critical bill will better resource existing community-based organizations so they can support new immigrants and provide them with the tools they need to thrive in Colorado.”

Under the program, grant funding could be used for:

• Conducting an intake and assessment of needs;

• Providing cultural orientation and case management;

• Services or referrals to employment services, immigration legal assistance, housing-related services, transportation services, financial orientation, mental and physical health services, interpretation and translation services, and English as a second language courses;

• Distributing emergency and transitional supplies; and

• Assisting new immigrant parents to enroll their kids in public schools or summer programs.

HB24-1280 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.