AURORA, Colo. — After passing a resolution Monday night, the city of Aurora is going to investigate and make a list of nonprofits helping migrants.
The resolution passed by the conservative city council majority claims the state government and the City of Denver "placed" immigrants in Aurora. The investigation is aimed at finding out if that claim is true.
A state spokesperson told 9NEWS, "Colorado did not place migrants in any community." The state said it gave grants to nonprofits which then helped migrants find housing.
That didn't stop the resolution from passing with a 6-2 vote.
Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky, who is a Republican, called for the investigation and introduced the resolution. It directs the city manager to look into nonprofits helping migrants in the community.
The resolution comes days after Donald Trump's visit to the city. During a rally at the Gaylord Rockies, he said he will "rescue Aurora and every town that has been invaded and conquered." It also comes weeks after Jurinsky claimed without evidence that one nonprofit that supports migrants is a communist organization.
"American taxpayer dollars to move these people here. The people of Aurora have a right to know. How much money went towards it?" Jurinsky said at the city council meeting Monday.
The yes vote by council means the city manager will create a list of nonprofits that have received funding to help migrants.
"This is going to target and scapegoat migrants and migrant serving organizations instead of looking at the real issues," said Councilwoman Alison Coombs, one of two Democrats who voted no.
Advocates also worry this directive will cause more harm.
"That phrasing makes it seem like there has to be permission that needs to be granted in order for people to enter Aurora if they come from a certain background," said Nadeen Ibrahim, Organizing Director with East Colfax Community Collective.
East Colfax Community Collective has pushed back on Jurinsky's claims about a Venezuelan gang takeover at apartments in Aurora. It was then that Jurinsky said they were a "communist group."
"Many nonprofits have had to increase their sense of security at their respective places because, since everything has been happening since August, just because of how bad the anti-immigrant sentiment has gotten," Ibrahim said.
A progressive councilmember said she worries colleagues will use this information to target nonprofits and take away their funding. Jurinsky said she doesn't believe the city should be funding nonprofits at all.