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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Fear of Deportation Leaves Many Colorado Kids Hungry

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Thursday, May 18, 2017   

DENVER -- Children born in this country are U.S. citizens, regardless of their parents' immigration status, and many are eligible for health insurance coverage and food stamps.

But the Trump Administration's tough talk on immigration and an uptick in ICE activity in so-called sanctuary cities, are keeping some families from accessing those programs. Javier Roacho, who works with Hunger Free Colorado's food resource hotline, said the current political climate is affecting families across the state.

"People are afraid of applying; people want to opt out of the Medicaid and food stamp program, due to fear that they're going to be targeted by the government," Roacho said. "Children are missing out on food and we're going have kids going to bed hungry, going to school hungry. "

He said undocumented immigrants, who aren't eligible for assistance programs, are concerned that they could face deportation if they get benefits for their eligible children. Roacho said fear is largely spread by word-of-mouth, and more outreach is needed to encourage parents to get kids the help they need.

According to the National Immigration Law Center, so far no laws have been changed that would put parents at risk.

In 2015, nearly one-in-10 food stamp recipients were U.S. citizen children living with non-citizens. Roacho said with schools closing for summer break, many kids will lose access to meals and the school nurse.

"Our public schools can only do so much, so the rest is up to us,” he said, "to get our children what they need - make sure if something happens to them that we can take them into the ER or to the hospital without hesitation, or without thinking about what's going to happen."

Roacho said deportation concerns are driving families to non-government food pantries for assistance, as well as to churches, where many feel safe. He added that Colorado's economy also could take a hit if money that could be spent at local grocery stores isn't accessed and has to be returned to the federal government.

Families can connect with benefits and other resources by calling the Hunger Free Colorado hotline at 855-855-4626.


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