Gov. Polis Applauds President Biden’s Actions to Support Refugee Resettlement and the New American Community

DENVER - Governor Jared Polis applauds President Biden on his efforts to support the New American community and for re-establishing the United States as global leaders in welcoming refugees, important actions rooted in America’s humanitarian values and in our history as a nation of immigrants. 

“Colorado is home to a rich and diverse immigrant community which is key to our economic resilience and success. I applaud President Biden for taking action to ensure we lead with our values and provide equitable opportunity for all. Colorado is home to many immigrants, including 60,000 refugees and over 15,000 DACA recipients. Our country was built on the aspirations and contributions of immigrants and refugees who will always play a pivotal role in making Colorado a better place to live, work, and thrive,” said Gov. Polis. 

Last month, President Biden announced the administration would be Preserving and Fortifying Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). In 2020, Gov. Polis applauded the Supreme Court’s order ruling the Trump administration’s decision to rescind the DACA program was arbitrary and capricious. Gov. Polis in March 2020, also urged the then Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to automatically extend work authorizations for all DACA recipients whose grants expire in 2020. Governor Polis also signed SB 19-230, which codified Colorado’s participation in the United States refugee resettlement program. While serving in Congress, then-Congressman Polis was a lead sponsor of H.R. 15, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, and a cosponsor of the DREAM Act. 

The Polis administration began the New American Initiative in November 2019 to help the state address barriers to immigrant integration in Colorado. The New Americans Initiative has published its first annual report today.