March 25, 2024 -The Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management (PPROEM) Executive Director Andrew Notbohm provided the Board of County Commissioners with a Southwest Migrant Informational Update. The update detailed the current trends of migrants in the region and focused on their impacts on local schools, hospitals, and non-governmental organization (NGO) shelters.
Highlights from the update include:
- PPROEM’s establishment of regular communication with key community partners
- Between November 2023 and January 2024, Memorial Hospital Central and Memorial Hospital North provided care for approximately 1,200 new patients who were identified as likely coming from outside the country. This represents a 77% increase from the same period the previous year. It’s important to note that UCHealth does not inquire about immigration status. The data includes patients who did not have a Social Security Number or who volunteered information indicating they were migrants, were uninsured, and were not eligible for Medicaid.
- Over 500 immigrant students have been enrolled in El Paso County School Districts. (Note: This information was provided by local school data and not PPROEM)
The El Paso County Board of Commissioners commended PPROEM for its diligent work gathering data to keep them and the public informed about trends in our community. They recognized the value of such updates in safeguarding residents’ health and safety and guiding policy decisions.
More than a year ago, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) made a clear statement against illegal immigration, announcing El Paso County’s decision not to be a sanctuary county.
In January, the Board of County Commissioners became aware of local non-profits sheltering migrants. They immediately held a press conference reiterating their stance and urging the federal government to secure the border and enforce our immigration laws. They also noted that Colorado has several laws that make it a sanctuary state, including laws that hinder the Sheriff’s office from working with ICE. The BOCC has engaged in efforts to reverse state sanctuary policies and continues to push for President Biden to take action, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of El Paso County residents in the face of the border crisis.
The BOCC directed PPROEM to continue to monitor the situation and communicate the most up-to-date information to commissioners and the public. The full Southwest Migrant Informational Update is available here:
Southwest Migrant Informational Update