DPS Supports Immigration Day of Action

Mayor Michael B. Hancock declared Tuesday, March 21, as the “Denver Immigration Day of Action,” joining cities across the country in reaffirming their commitment to supporting immigrants and immigrant communities. DPS Superintendent Tom Boasberg and Deputy Superintendent Susana Cordova joined other civic leaders on the front steps of the City and County building to highlight the contributions immigrants have made to the city of Denver.

Yonis Noor, who was born in a refugee camp in Kenya and is now excelling at DPS’ Thomas Jefferson High School as a senior, made remarks to the crowd. He recalled the experience of coming to America at the age of six, “learning a new language and getting used to a new culture was very difficult, but it was all worth it.”

“I will be the first person in my family to go to college,” said Noor, who hopes to go into either environmental science or engineering. “I couldn’t have done this without being in America and I want everyone else to have the same experience.”

See the press conference footage on Mayor Michael B. Hancock’s Facebook page here.

Learn more about how DPS is supporting all students on our Safe and Welcoming School District webpage.

As part of the day’s activities, Mayor Hancock and the Denver Public Library launched the “Our Immigrant Stories” multimedia initiative.

According to the mayor’s office, Our Immigrant Stories will create an online catalogue of the experiences of immigrant Americans in the metro area, and will remind everyone of the diverse people who contribute to making Denver the beautiful home we are all proud of. Individuals can sign up to contribute their families’ immigrant stories, which can be viewed at denverlibrary.org/ourimmigrantstories.

In addition, the City and County of Denver has also assembled an Immigrant and Refugee assistance page to answer frequently asked questions and provide resources for identified needs.