Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has come under fire for his “Feliz Navidad” holiday message as the state struggles for resources while battling a significant immigration crisis, just days after Denver received 16 busloads of migrants.
Polis, 48, was seen dancing happily while delivering an acapella rendition of Puerto Rican singer José Feliciano’s 1970 hit on Monday.
The MP posted the video for his social media followers below Spanish X’s official accountwhere some viewers based the questionable clip, then shared it on its various official platforms.
“As horrible as this is, it doesn’t compare to the damage you’ve done to this state,” one user X commented under the governor’s post.
“This is one of the worst things I’ve seen all year. Who walked into your office and said this is a great idea…?,” another questioned.
“Even Latinos are horrified,” quipped one user.
Some even insinuated that the Police were “playing” the state’s growing Latino community.
“This is ridiculous and you seem as uncomfortable doing it as I am watching it. What is the real purpose of this?” one user wrote in Spanish under the video. “Because if I were Latino, I’d be making fun of you instead of thinking, ‘Oh yeah, I’m going to vote for that guy.’”
Some users called out the governor for his post, claiming he appeared to be pandering to the Latina community. Gobernador Jared Polis/X
“It’s a cultural appropriation to indulge in this way,” commented another.
The governor’s questionable dance moves and off-field chants came after at least 340 immigrants were shipped to Denver in less than 24 hours between Thursday night and Friday morning, according to CBS News.
Many immigrants arrived from Texas after traveling from Venezuela, Columbia and Guatemala.
As more immigrants moved to Denver, the city’s resources dwindled. YouTube/CBS Colorado
More than 3,800 migrants are in several shelters around the city following mass deportations last week, the outlet reported.
As more immigrants moved to Denver, the city’s resources dwindled.
“We could run out of room,” Jon Ewing, a Denver Human Services spokesman, told the outlet.
“We can run out of resources. We are already limited. It strains an already strained system even further.”
16 busloads of migrants were dropped off in Denver between 24 hours between Thursday night and Friday morning. YouTube/CBS Colorado
While shelters are scrambling for space, the city is scrambling to find jobs for immigrants and trying hard to keep them off the streets, as many of them arrive with children.
“We know that everything is more difficult with a child,” Ewing told the outlet.
“This is why we give more time to the family. We don’t want children on the streets. We don’t want anyone on the streets.”
The growing immigrant population flooding Colorado’s shelters and streets has begun to put pressure on community members.
The city is trying to find jobs for immigrants and is trying desperately to keep them off the streets. YouTube/CBS Colorado
“They talk bad to me,” a woman, identified only as Gerena, told the outlet after explaining it was difficult to have them near the Shell Gas Station where she works.
“I’m the only one who speaks Spanish. I try to help them. I tried to explain the rules, but they didn’t like it. Too many people. They are very mean to me and to my boss.”
The small town of Carbondale, located 170 miles west of Denver, was flooded with more than 120 Venezuelan immigrants seeking refuge when Mayor Ben Bohmfalk declared he did not want to become a “people destination.”
Polis was elected governor in 2018 and has faced growing criticism from Coloradans and constituents over his handling of the immigrant crisis.
In January, Police said Colorado was working with nonprofits to “help immigrants safely reach their intended final destination” — often New York and Chicago — after explaining that many were just passing through his state.
Denver is about 700 miles north of El Paso on Interstate 25.
A freight train crosses the border between Mexico and the US on Dec. 22, 2023, after a five-day suspension as authorities closed railroad bridges in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, to redirect staff to stop increased migration. Reuters
The border city is now flooded by an influx of immigrants since 2021.
US Customs and Border Patrol suspended cross-border rail traffic in the Texas cities of Eagle Pass and El Paso on Dec. 19 in response to migrants boarding freight trains through Mexico, jumping off just before entering the US.
The number of daily arrivals is “unprecedented,” said Troy Miller, acting commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection, adding that illegal crossings exceeded 10,000 some days across the border in December.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
