New migrants face fear and loneliness. A town on the Great Plains has a storied support network

The experience of new migrants can often be one of fear and loneliness, especially when they are separated from loved ones due to immigration enforcement. This was the situation faced by Magdalena Simon when her husband was taken into custody by immigration officers, leaving her alone with their young son in Fort Morgan, Colorado, after a long and arduous journey from Guatemala in 2019.

Fort Morgan, a quiet ranching town on Colorado’s eastern plains, can be an isolating place for newcomers like Simon. The harsh winds and unfamiliar faces only added to her sense of despair. She tried to hide her anguish from her children, who constantly asked for their father.

However, what Simon discovered in Fort Morgan was a lifeline—a close-knit community of immigrants who had forged a support network over generations. This community welcomed her with open arms, connecting her with legal assistance, charitable organizations, schools, and new friends.

Unlike the challenges faced by migrants in larger cities like New York or Chicago, Fort Morgan provided a unique environment where newcomers could build quieter lives. Here, migrants grapple with the demanding tasks of pursuing asylum cases, finding employment to support their families, ensuring their children receive an education, and navigating language barriers—all while living under the constant threat of deportation.

The United Nations recognized Fort Morgan as a case study for rural refugee integration, drawing attention to the success of the community in integrating a diverse group of migrants, including a significant influx of Somalis who arrived to work in local meatpacking plants in the late 2000s.

In recent years, hundreds more migrants have made Fort Morgan their home, resulting in a multicultural tapestry with over 30 languages spoken at the town’s only high school. Support services, such as translators and educational programs, have emerged to help newcomers adapt to their new lives.

Local organizations in Fort Morgan actively engage in monthly support groups, legal rights education, driving lessons, and facilitating access to immigration attorneys. They are essential in helping migrants like Simon and Maria Ramirez, who fled cartel violence in Mexico, navigate the complexities of their new lives in the United States.

The community also advocates for migrants’ rights at the national level, organizing events like the recent posada celebration to urge politicians to reject stricter asylum rules. Fort Morgan’s history, from its roots in sugar beet production to the present-day dairy industry, reflects the resilience and contributions of migrants to the community.

Despite the challenges and the need for further cultural bridge-building, the spirit of unity and support prevails in Fort Morgan. As children dance to traditional Mexican tunes at community events, it’s clear that the bonds of community are strong, offering hope and strength to newcomers like Magdalena Simon and her family.

In Fort Morgan, a sense of belonging is gradually replacing the initial fear and loneliness that many migrants face. Through their shared experiences and collective efforts, this small town is proving that, even in the face of adversity, a supportive community can make the burdens of migration a little lighter.

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• Refugee Resettlement
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