Centers for immigrants seeking asylum close in Denver, other major cities after federal cuts

Associated Press

Last update: November 5, 2009 - 9:57 PM

DENVER - A Denver center that offered counseling and legal help to immigrants who sought asylum after they were tortured in their home countries has closed after losing its federal grant.

The Rocky Mountain Survivors Center closed last month.

About 50,000 people seek asylum in the U.S. each year. Torture-survivor programs in other cities including Atlanta and Detroit are struggling to stay open after federal funding cuts. A center in Philadelphia has closed.

Annual reports show about 250 people received help in Denver each year. The Denver center received nearly $4.2 million in federal grants over eight years. The Denver Post reports that the money wasn't renewed this year, and board members couldn't find enough private funding.

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Information from: The Denver Post, http://www.denverpost.com

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