Community Advocates Push Back Against Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric After Trump Visit to Aurora.
Aurora, Colo. — Following former President Donald Trump’s campaign stop in Aurora on Friday, local immigration advocates and organizations gathered to counter claims that they believe unfairly target the immigrant community. The event took place outside an apartment building that had been linked to false allegations of a migrant gang takeover.
Prior to his visit, Trump made inaccurate claims that Venezuelan gangs had taken control of parts of the city, including certain apartment buildings. He repeated these allegations during his rally on Friday. In response, community leaders gathered outside apartments on Dallas Street, one of the locations connected to the false claims, to highlight what they see as the real Aurora—a community where families support each other.
Speakers at the event ranged from faith leaders to city council members, all voicing support for migrants who have been affected by the spreading of misinformation.
Henry Sandman, co-executive director of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, criticized Trump’s remarks at the gathering. “Trump’s lies are dangerous and dishonest,” Sandman said. “They’re meant to divide us when we are just trying to live together as a community. The picture he’s painting simply isn’t true.”
Community members expressed frustration over politicians using immigrants as scapegoats instead of addressing real local issues, such as a lack of affordable housing and poor living conditions.
V Reeves, an advocate with HouseKeys Action Network, echoed these concerns, saying that political figures are treating migrants as “political pawns” when, in reality, they are “real people with real needs.” Reeves added that the rhetoric from Trump’s campaign has real consequences.
“People have been applying for housing for over a month, paying thousands in fees, only to be denied when landlords learn they are Venezuelan,” Reeves explained.
Members of the immigrant community shared their desire for understanding. One tenant, speaking anonymously in Spanish, said, “You can’t judge a book by its cover. We’re not all the same. I wish Trump would come and meet us, to see that what he’s saying isn’t true.”
The tenant added, “We didn’t come here because we wanted to, but because of the situation in our country. I don’t see the point in hating immigrants when they haven’t done anything to you.”
The event reflected the strong desire within the community to combat divisive rhetoric and show the reality of life in Aurora.
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