They were left out of the economic rescue package to assist in the devastation caused by the pandemic
They demand that undocumented immigrants be supported during the coronavirus. (Araceli Martínez / La Opinion).
Photo:
Araceli Martínez / Impremedia
Immigrant advocacy leaders denounced the lack of fair treatment for undocumented workers during this quarantine period due to the coronavirus epidemic, and by leaving them out of the largest economic rescue package in the United States.
"Our people are working without protections in industry, heavy work, stores, warehouses and agriculture”Angelica Salas, leader of the Coalition for Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), told California Senator Kamala Harris during a telephone meeting.
But they also expressed concern that undocumented workers were left out of the two-trillion-dollar financial relief package approved by Congress to deal with the coronavirus.
"Many parents have to pay the babysitter more, since when schools close they don't have anyone to leave their minor children to go to work," she said.
"We ask Senator Harris to find a way in Washington to include undocumented workers in another proposal. We are very unhappy that they will not be given any cash aid at this time when everything has stopped, "he said.
In this meeting with the senator, they raised all the concerns that the immigrant community in California is experiencing due to a pandemic.
"We ask for your help in closing ICE detention centers because the number of people continues to grow, and attention is not being paid to this problem," he said.
Immigrants make up 16.5% of those who care for coronavirus patients in hospitals and homes; and continue to harvest crops to feed the country.
They represent 18.2% of those who deliver food, medicine, products and services to those who are quarantined at home. "While many of us are at home, they are at work to protect us."
The CHIRLA leader said that they will continue to fight and press for equal treatment for immigrants. "Here in California we have open legislators and there is sensitivity, but the same thing happens in all the states of the nation," he said.
Senator Harris in the fight
Senator Harris said she is proud that DACA recipients and other immigrants who file taxes with social security numbers can receive cash assistance.
However, he acknowledged that the bill is far from perfect. “I will not stop fighting to protect everyone and ensure that everyone has the support they need during this pandemic, regardless of immigration status. I will continue to do all I can to be a voice for our immigrant communities during these challenging times. ”
Asked what he can do to protect immigrants detained at Immigration and Customs Service (ICE) centers from a coronavirus outbreak, and what is his response to the request that they be released, he said he addressed a letter to the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Homeland Security (DHS) asking about the policies and procedures that agencies have in place to prepare for and manage a potential spread among detainees and staff at their facilities.
This included questionnaires on how they are using the criteria for the release of individuals with the obligation to appear in court, bail, probation or through detention alternatives to reduce the population when possible.
"I will continue to demand that detained immigrants receive immediate and humane treatment, particularly during the coronavirus crisis," he said.
