A report from the Manhattan Institute has connected a crime wave in Aurora, Colorado, to a migrant housing program funded by the Biden administration and local Denver authorities.

The report claims that Venezuelan gang members are at the heart of this surge in violence, a consequence of Biden-supported federal and local resettlement programs meant to provide housing for migrants, as the Daily Mail reports.

The housing program was financed using $3.8 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) since 2021. The City of Denver used these funds to resettle thousands of migrants, many of them Venezuelan, in Aurora and other areas.

Local nonprofits, ViVe Wellness and Papagayo, received multimillion-dollar contracts to support the resettlement efforts, which included providing housing and assistance for approximately 8,000 migrants, primarily Venezuelan.

Increased Gang Activity in Aurora Apartments

These resettlement programs have inadvertently contributed to a rise in gang activity in Aurora. Venezuelan gangsters, some affiliated with the notorious Tren de Aragua gang, quickly took control of several apartment complexes. Security footage from last month showed armed gang members breaking into a unit, sparking outrage and concern across the community.

Papagayo, one of the key nonprofits involved in the housing initiative, worked with Brooklyn-based CBZ Management to house migrants in several apartment complexes, including Edge of Lowry, Whispering Pines, and Fitzsimons Place, also known as Aspen Grove. Within six months of the program’s start, an estimated 80% of the apartments were occupied by Venezuelan migrants, leading to a spike in gang activity.

Local authorities initially downplayed concerns over the surge in crime, but the situation quickly deteriorated. Violent crime, including trespassing, extortion, drug use, and human trafficking, became rampant in these complexes. According to a confidential legal report, the crime rate in these buildings doubled between 2022 and 2023, even as crime in the rest of Denver decreased.

The Federal Funding Behind Aurora’s Crime Wave

The Biden administration, in collaboration with Denver authorities and publicly subsidized NGOs, provided the funding that fueled this situation. ViVe Wellness and Papagayo received $4.8 million and $774,000 respectively between 2023 and 2024 to house migrants. ViVe later secured an additional $10.4 million, while Papagayo received another $2.9 million to continue their migrant assistance programs.

Unfortunately, the influx of migrants and the increase in gang activity have led to severe consequences for both the residents of Aurora and the migrants themselves. The apartment complexes, once meant to provide safe housing, have instead become hotspots for criminal activity. Aspen Grove, in particular, was shuttered in August after health and safety concerns prompted the eviction of 300 residents.

Crime and Disorder Lead to Apartment Closures

CBZ Management, the company that managed the complexes, placed blame on the gangsters who took control of the properties. They claimed that gang members extorted tenants for rent and intimidated property management. This led to the deteriorating conditions at the properties, which ultimately resulted in the closure of Aspen Grove.

Other apartment complexes involved in the resettlement efforts, such as Edge of Lowry and Whispering Pines, also faced similar issues. Viral footage from Edge of Lowry showed armed men breaking into apartments, further highlighting the dangers residents faced. By late 2023, Whispering Pines had reportedly fallen under the control of the Tren de Aragua gang, with the complex described as being in a "stranglehold."

The Strain on Aurora’s Services and Infrastructure

The surge in migrants has placed an immense strain on Aurora’s infrastructure. Schools, healthcare systems, and local services are all feeling the impact of the increased population. The Manhattan Institute report estimates that Denver may face an additional $340 million in costs as a result of the migrant influx.

In response to the rising crime and overburdened services, Denver scaled back its migrant assistance programs. Initially, migrants were offered six weeks of hotel accommodations upon arrival, but this was reduced to three days in May due to overwhelming demand. The city has since focused on providing longer-term support to those already in the area, including English classes and help with asylum and work permit applications.

Political Fallout and Concerns Over Migrant Resettlement

The crime wave in Aurora has drawn national attention, with former President Donald Trump bringing up the issue during a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump pointed to the situation as a failure of the Biden administration’s immigration policies, particularly the resettlement program that placed migrants in crime-ridden environments.

Despite the political focus, local authorities have struggled to address the growing problem. The migrant surge, coupled with the influence of gangs, has made it difficult to maintain order in the affected apartment complexes. Denver’s efforts to assist migrants have backfired in Aurora, turning what was meant to be a humanitarian effort into a public safety crisis.

Conclusion

The rise in crime in Aurora, Colorado, can be directly linked to a federal and local resettlement program that placed thousands of Venezuelan migrants in subsidized housing.

With gangs like Tren de Aragua infiltrating these communities, apartment complexes have become hotspots for violent crime.

Although perhaps well-intentioned, the resettlement efforts have resulted in unintended consequences, as local authorities struggle to maintain order.

As the migrant population continues to grow, the burden on Denver’s services and infrastructure only increases, raising questions about the sustainability of the program.