Resources | COVID-19 Crisis and Consequences

Resources | COVID-19 Crisis and Consequences

WORKERS’ RIGHTS

Frequently Asked Questions: Immigrant Workers’ Rights and COVID-19

The COVID-19 public health crisis is creating many challenges for immigrant workers and their families. An estimated six million immigrants are in essential jobs at the frontline of the response to this pandemic. They work in industries such as health care, grocery and pharmacy retail, manufacturing, cleaning and janitorial services, and agriculture. An additional six million foreign-born workers are employed in industries that have been hard-hit by business closures. These include food service, travel and hospitality, personal services and private household work, and building services. This FAQ answers questions immigrant workers and their advocates might have about COVID-19–related topics.

WEBINAR | Workers’ Rights: Critical Labor Protections for Immigrant Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE SOLUTIONS

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

Federal COVID-19 relief bills enacted as of late April 2020 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 the pandemic, providing crucial services while others are able to shelter at home. This policy brief provides information on the federal COVID-19 relief bills’ 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.

Shared Crisis, Shared Solutions: State and Local Advocacy for an Immigrant-Inclusive Response to the COVID-19 Crisis

This report explores immigrant-inclusive economic justice policy opportunities for state and local advocates to pursue in their communities. So far, programs that provide financial assistance have left many immigrants without the support they need to weather the COVID-19 storm. Restrictive federal policies and immigration enforcement actions have thwarted the nation’s ability to protect public health. Although every community’s health depends on everyone in it being healthy, many immigrant families have been unable to obtain necessary COVID-19 testing and care. Finally, as workers, including many immigrants, continue to work during the crisis, inadequate workplace protections place many at risk of becoming sick as they provide services essential to our well-being and survival. Advocates and organizers across the country are taking leadership in building a response that is inclusive of all community members.

FAQ: Eligibility for Assistance Based on Immigration Status

This resource provides information about immigrants’ eligibility for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), other U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development programs, Unemployment Insurance (UI), Economic Impact Payments, and FEMA assistance, in addition to discussing implications for “public charge” determinations.

State and Local Immigrants’ Rights Developments, December 2019–August 2020: Investing in Collective Health and Well-Being

This report highlights the immigrant-inclusive state laws and policies adopted from December 2019 through August 2020, including state and local efforts to provide relief to immigrant residents harmed by the COVID crisis and measures that limit their involvement in federal immigration enforcement and detention.

WEBINAR | Equal Opportunities to Thrive: Rebates, Taxes/SSN/ITIN, Food Security, and Access to Food Programs

TESTING, TREATMENT, AND HEALTH CARE

Update on Access to Health Care for Immigrants and Their Families

In this difficult time, we want to provide some reminders about access to health care for immigrants and their family members, including new funding that Congress recently made available for coronavirus testing.

WEBINAR | Safe and Accessible: Immigrants’ Access to Health Care, Public Charge, and Safe Spaces in Health Care Centers

WEBINARS

Equal Opportunities to Thrive: Rebates, Taxes/SSN/ITIN, Food Security, and Access to Food Programs

Workers’ Rights: Critical Labor Protections for Immigrant Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Safe and Accessible: Immigrants’ Access to Health Care, Public Charge, and Safe Spaces in Health Care Centers

Winning In The States | State and Local Advocacy Responses to COVID-19 (PDF)

ARTICLES FROM “THE TORCH”

Next Senate COVID-19 Bill Must Include 5 Key Immigrant-Inclusive Provisions of House HEROES Act

Federal COVID-19 Relief Legislation Must Include Help for Immigrant Communities

Immigrants in Low-Wage Frontline Jobs Need COVID-19 Protections Now

DACA Renewal Guidance in Light of USCIS Office Closures and Other Factors

Congress Must Fix Its Failure to Include Millions in COVID-19 Testing and Relief

COVID-19 Relief Bills Fall Short of Meeting Basic Needs of Millions of Americans