The "I am California" effort seeks to not only receive your taxes but include them in the reliefs
When the federal economic recovery package was announced, Erika Alonso breathed a sigh of relief. Weeks ago, due to the coronavirus pandemic, her husband had lost his job as a waiter in Los Angeles.
But the pleasure of knowing that a financial relief check for his family was on the way did not last long. "Oh disappointment! upon learning that we were excluded simply because we were immigrants, without good social security. ”
The Coalition for Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) launched the “I am California” campaign for undocumented immigrants to be included in the recovery efforts of COVID-19, in terms of access to health care, justice and economic relief.
"This global crisis exposed the weakness of our infrastructure, as well as the challenges that migrant workers and their families face in accessing key services such as testing, health care and economic relief," said Angélica Salas, director of CHIRLA.
Compassion and fairness
He noted that the government must be prompt, compassionate and fair. “Any response must include immigrants, refugees and their families. To ignore them is to deny our complete recovery ”.
Although, he said that the Governor of California has taken some steps to protect immigrant families; Many voices want California to ignore its responsibility to protect us all.
"We call on Governor Newsom to be brave and reject President Trump's racist agenda. If we include everyone in this conversation, we can return not only where we were but towards a more prosperous future. ”
Erika Alonso said they are disappointed and frustrated because as immigrants, they have always paid taxes with the Personal Identification Number (ITIN).
"California is our home. We have adopted this culture; and thank God, we have adapted, but we have not adapted to discrimination just because we were not born here ”.
He added that foreclosure is not the answer to state recovery.
"It is time to show solidarity and get ahead. It is time to forget about legal and social status. It is time to unite for a common good, "said Erika.
Much to do
Los Angeles Senator Maria Elena Durazo said the Latino caucus and leadership in California must do more. "We are in the first stage of bringing relief for $ 75 million to undocumented immigrants," he recalled.
And he said taking into account that a third of essential workers in California are undocumented, The state income credit must be given to taxpayers with personal identification numbers (ITIN).
But he also asked that the Medical program be expanded immediately, to include low-income undocumented elderly; and increase the relief fund to cover unemployed immigrants. "We allow them to subsidize everyone by accepting their taxes, but we do not support them in times of crisis."
Congresswoman Judy Chu regretted that despite the fact that many immigrants are at the forefront of the fight against the coronavirus, they do not receive the support they need during the pandemic.
"An estimated six million immigrants are in essential jobs in industries such as health care, supermarkets, pharmacies, cleaning and agriculture, including 27,000 health dreamers; but it is appalling that many of the provisions that the Democrats proposed have not become law. "
Concern
For that reason, he presented Measure HR 6437, the Coronavirus Immigrant Families Protection Act, to provide emergency Medicaid for treatment and testing to all immigrants, including those who have been in the country for five years.
“The measure also stops the public charge rule so that immigrants are not afraid; and instructs public health agencies to make resources available in the most common languages of those who are not fluent in English. ”
It also proposes that those who file taxes with the ITIN, as well as families with mixed immigration status, in which one of them does not have a social security number, can receive an economic stimulus check.
Chu said he works hard to include his proposed law in the next economic stimulus package.
"Leaving immigrants out of these packages will not only prolong COVID-19. It will also hinder economic recovery efforts"
Congresswoman Nanette Barragán added that the Latino caucus in Congress is very concerned about the beneficiaries of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), since it is not known what the decision the Supreme Court will take on the permanence of this program. Added to this is that DACAs are the only legal group that does not have access to the Affordable Care Act..
"With COVID-19, we have to make sure everyone has access to free testing and treatment, and whoever gets this virus is not denied insurance for a pre-existing condition."
The fight is not over
Congressman Jimmy Gómez said that COVID-19 made his concern known because the undocumented, and those who declare taxes with personal identification numbers (ITIN), have been left out of the economic stimulus and do not receive unemployment.
He noted that they need to do more to include them because it is good for public health; in addition to that required dedicate more money to communities most affected by the virus, and establish more testing centers.
"We are going to fight because Latinos are not only 'I am California' but 'I am the United States.' The fight is not over. We will continue to push the federal government, this administration, and the Republicans for a better response."
CHIRLA called to sign the petition: https://yosoycalifornia.chirla.org/
