Organizations Supporting Undocumented Immigrants Puts Pressure on California for a Weekly COVID-19 Relief Aid

According to the Department of Labor, another 3 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits last week bringing the country's number of unemployment individuals up to 36 million. 

The first round of stimulus checks have already been deployed. With $10 million more payments to go, more are waiting for a second round of stimulus checks. The US Treasury has announced that they will no longer be issuing checks and instead, recipients will be receiving an Economic Impact Payment debit card.

These benefits are helping millions of Americans power through these tough times, but let us not forget that there are approximately 10-12 million undocumented workers in the US. So, what happens to them?

State of California provides a disaster relief fund

Undocumented immigrants do not qualify for the federal assistance provided by the government. Last May 18, the State of California offered a new relief program, the first of its kind that supports undocumented workers.

The state will provide $75 million and private groups are expected to raise another $50 million to bring up a total of $125 million disaster relief fund called the Disaster Relief Fund for California Workers.

Governor Newsom said in an interview last month that undocumented workers should know that California will support everyone, including them, during this pandemic. This one time relief fund will provide $500 for each individual applicant and $1000 for each family. It is expected to benefit around 150,000 people and is on a first come first serve basis. Applicants should be over 18 and must prove job loss or that they have experienced financial difficulties due to COVID-19.

On May 8th, the first day of its implementation, the state's website crashed and is still inaccessible until now. Hotlines were overwhelmed with more than one million calls received. Almost 668 residents were able to receive relief aid on the first day. 

The NDLON or the National Day Laborer Organizing Network has called this program by Governor Newsom as an important step to close the widening gap between immigrants and that this assistance program could mean the difference between life and death for undocumented workers in California. 

Newsom has emphasized that the undocumented workforce play an important role in the keeping the state afloat. These workers work mostly in the agriculture and food industry, construction, manufacturing and even healthcare making up 10% of the state's workforce.

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One time relief is not enough

Although immigrant advocacy groups have praised Governor Newsom for his efforts, they have stressed that a one-time payment might not be enough to help everyone. Applications for the relief fund will be accepted until June 30 but funds are expected to run out much earlier. 

There are around two million undocumented workers in California alone and the relief fund will only reach very few individuals and families. There is no confirmation yet if the state will provide a second batch of relief aid for undocumented workers. 

The state of California has been rolling out benefit programs for undocumented workers since last year. In 2019, the state provided health benefits to low income earners working in the country illegally.