Immigrants, Refugees Get Questions Answered At City Meeting
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - With more than 130 languages spoken in public schools in Aurora, it's one of the region's most diverse communities, home to many immigrant and refugee families. And local leaders say many immigrants and refugees are feeling anxious as President-elect Donald Trump makes his transition to the country's highest office, wondering whether he'll make good on campaign promises that some people consider anti-immigrant and anti-refugee.
In an effort to ease that anxiety, Dr. Mara Kailin, who leads Aurora's Mental Health Center organized a meeting on Thursday, bringing together the city's law enforcement, education and health leaders to answer people's questions about immigrant and refugee policy and rights.
More than 100 people attended the event at Aurora Central High School. Anabel Aguilar, who works with immigrant families in Aurora Public Schools and is an immigrant herself, say the meeting as an opportunity to learn.
"Some of our families are expressing you know, what is going to happen if I am a refugee or if I am an immigrant? What are the next steps?" Aguilar said. "Just working with families and hearing the fear that they're experiencing right now made me come out tonight and make sure I get that information to let them know school is safe, police continue to think its safe, and definitely get them connected."
District Attorney George Brauchler and Aurora Police Chief Nick Metz attended the meeting and served as members of a panel that answered questions from the crowd.
Metz reiterated his position on immigration, that his officers will play no role in enforcing it.
"I'm going to make it really clear and simple," Metz said. "We don't care, we don't care, we are not hear to enforce immigration, we are not here to detain people for immigration reasons, we are not hear to investigate someone's status as an immigrant."
Lela Timsina, a refugee who has lived in Aurora for the past five years, opened the meeting by sharing his personal story. He hopes to reassure other refugees living in Colorado, but also acknowledged the uncertainty people feel.
"People they have some level of fear," Timsina said, "but we never know, we have to wait and see what is going to happen after President-elect starts."
Metz also referenced recent incidents of bias-motivated crime that have taken place in Aurora, saying that such hateful acts would not be tolerated, and encouraging people to report threatening or harassing behavior.
A spokeswoman for Aurora Public Schools said despite a rise in worry and anxiety some people feel since the election, they have not seen an uptick in bullying or discrimination at the city's schools.
Lauren DiSpirito reports for CBS4 News at 10 p.m. She covers breaking news and feature stories along Colorado's Front Range. Follow her on Twitter @CBS4Lauren. Share your story ideas with her here.
