Understanding the Impact of Key Provisions of COVID-19 Relief Bills on Immigrant Communities

Understanding the Impact of Key Provisions of COVID-19 Relief Bills on Immigrant Communities

Last updated MAY 27, 2020

On March 27, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act, a $2 trillion stimulus bill, and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement (Paycheck Protection) Act, a multibillion dollar bill enacted on April 24, built on H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), to provide economic relief and health care options amidst the growing COVID-19 pandemic. This global public health crisis has served as an urgent reminder that our collective health and well-being are deeply interdependent and that it is crucial to have inclusive recovery policies in order for all of us to be healthy and safe.

Nevertheless, these bills fall short of meeting the most basic health care and economic needs of millions of Americans, including immigrant workers and families who are on the frontlines of caring for our communities during this pandemic, providing crucial services while others are able to shelter at home.

The purpose of this policy brief is to provide information on the COVID-19 relief package’s impact on low-income immigrants and suggestions for urgently needed improvements in any future relief bills, with a focus on health, public benefits, economic support, and employment protections. Please note that this is not meant to be a comprehensive analysis of the bill.


CONTENTS

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS FOR IMMIGRANT ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

  • Safe Spaces in Health Care Centers
  • Keeping Spaces Safe Is Critical to the Broader Community’s Safety

MEASURES TO PROTECT WORKERS

  • Emergency Paid Sick Leave
  • Paid Expanded Family and Medical Leave
  • Tax Credits for Self-Employed Workers
  • Unemployment Insurance
  • Worker Protections in Aid to Businesses

ECONOMIC SUPPORT

  • The 2020 Recovery Rebate
  • Eligibility for the Rebate
  • Accessing the Rebate
  • Timing

RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Access to Health Care
  • Halt Implementation of New Public Charge Rules
  • Safety Considerations for Immigrant Access to Health Care
  • Measures to Protect Workers
  • Economic Support

To download the policy brief, click on the PDF icon, above.