Advocacy Report Unveiling

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 16th, 2025

MEDIA CONTACTS:

• Fernanda Muñoz, 720-504-5955 | advocacyintern@juntoscommunity.org

• Mariana Ortega Rivera, 720-215-5999 | info@juntoscommunity.org

Colorado Groups Release Report Calling on State Institutions & Policymakers to Address Professional Barriers for Immigrants

Denver, CO - Today, Juntos Community published an advocacy report to address professional barriers for Colorado’s immigrants in order to boost the state’s economy and provide Colorado immigrants with a pathway to upward economic mobility.

The report titled “Strengthening Colorado’s Workforce: Addressing Barriers and Creating Professional Pathways for Immigrant Talent” (viewable in English and Spanish here) is the culmination of surveys and interviews with hundreds of immigrants and refugees across Colorado, and conversations with dozens of Colorado institutions. It outlines six key recommendations to enhance career mobility with actionable steps for policymakers, educators, agencies, nonprofits, and employers.

Media and the public can still register here to join the Unveiling of the Advocacy Report on Thursday January 16th from 12-1:30pm virtually or in-person at 3840 at York St Ste. 100, Denver, CO 80205.

"In a time when our country's newly elected leaders continue to scapegoat and place blame on immigrants, the release of this workforce report could not be more timely”, stated Luis Antezana, Founder & CEO of Juntos Community. “This report not only shines a light on the systemic barriers that prevent undocumented immigrants in Colorado from accessing a living wage but also highlights actionable solutions for how our community can come together to overcome these challenges. Our immigrant population—comprised of children, students, entrepreneurs, and hardworking members of our workforce—is a cornerstone of Colorado's economic and social resilience. By building an inclusive environment in our great state, we can ensure that Colorado thrives both economically and socially, proving that uplifting all Coloradans benefits us all."

Karina Hernandez, Advocacy Research Contractor with Juntos Community added, “Across Colorado and beyond, we are witnessing how labor movements and immigration justice efforts are being undermined by the widespread use of misinformation. This advocacy report presents peer-reviewed, comprehensive insights into the current challenges faced by undocumented communities, as well as the ongoing work required to ensure that every Coloradan has the opportunity to live a healthy, prosperous life.” 

"Coloradans hail from diverse places throughout the world and immigrant contributions in terms of ambition, talent, and expertise are integral to both our economy and social fabric," said Paula Schriefer, President & CEO of Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning. “Allowing immigration status or language barriers to deter workforce participation–including in professional fields experiencing shortages that highly educated and motivated newcomers are eager to help fill–does a disservice both to our newcomers and to our broader communities in need of their skills. Colorado has begun to address this shortcoming in recent years and this report highlights crucial potential to build on that momentum." 

For Juntos Community, the barriers facing immigrants do not apply just to newcomers, but also undocumented immigrants who have grown up in our state and called Colorado home for decades. “While there has been a significant amount of support for undocumented students over the past few years, navigating the professional journey remains incredibly difficult and confusing”, shared Karen Nuñez Sifuentes, a program consultant and researcher, who has worked closely with Juntos Community & Convivir Colorado. “The lack of clear information about available opportunities is discouraging and frustrating, especially given the laws passed in our state that were designed to improve access to professional licenses.”

Monica Andrade, Director of State Policy and Legal Strategy with the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration shared that, “Education institutions hold a unique position to lead the way and make meaningful changes in addressing the challenges outlined in the report. Immigrants in Colorado contribute valuable skills, innovation, and leadership potential, yet these professional barriers prevent them from fully contributing to their communities and the economy. Addressing these obstacles is not just a moral imperative but also an economic necessity. 

“While Denver has done an amazing job providing legal workshops to support newcomers to apply for parole and TPS and obtain a work permit, their efforts are at risk of being undermined by the incoming presidential administration”, said Josh Stallings, Program Manager of Advocacy for Juntos Community. “The City of Denver and State of Colorado need to create a more resilient workforce by supporting policies and programs that encourage entrepreneurship and protect independent contractors, so that our immigrant community -newcomer and long-established - will still be able to thrive even if the federal government attempts to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protective Status (TPS) and strip community members of their livelihood.”

As the presidential inauguration approaches, we urge Colorado institutions to not lose sight of the work to be done to create a more equitable and resilient state in which all Coloradans can thrive regardless of their country of origin or immigration status. 

###

Juntos Community is a community-based organization committed to helping undocumented immigrants overcome barriers to workforce access and career mobility. Juntos empowers our community with DACA support, educational workshops, and increased awareness around systemic challenges so that they can confidently thrive in their chosen careers.

For more information, visit our website www.juntoscommunity.org

Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning

Founded as an English language school for international students in 1979, Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning is a nonprofit organization that delivers a range of programs and services to build a thriving intercultural community through learning, language access, and advocacy.

The nonpartisan, nonprofit Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration brings college and university presidents and chancellors together on the immigration issues that impact higher education, our students, campuses, communities and nation. We work to support undocumented, international and refugee students, and advance forward-looking immigration policies and practices at the federal level, in our states, and across our college campuses. The Alliance is composed of 550+ college and university presidents and chancellors of public and private colleges and universities, enrolling over five million students in 42 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico.