California to provide relief to undocumented immigrants during pandemic

April 16, 2020 /

Governor Newsom announced Wednesday California will give cash payments to undocumented immigrants living in the state. California will use a mix of taxpayer money and charitable contributions to give nearly 150,000 adults $500 each during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to news reports.

There is an estimated 2 million undocumented immigrants living in the country, and they are not eligible for the $2.2 trillion stimulus package, according to CNBC.

“We feel a deep sense of gratitude for people that are in fear of deportations that are still addressing essential needs of tens of millions of Californians,” said Newsom.

Newsom said 10 percent of the state’s workforce are undocumented immigrants who paid more than $2.5 billion in state and local taxes last year, CNBC reports.

“I want to thank the Governor and the leaders of the legislature for their leadership and courageous actions to secure financial assistance for undocumented Californians. They are integral to our economy and are most disproportionately impacted during this crisis,” said Dolores Huerta, president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation in a statement released today.

“Farm workers, homecare workers, and childcare workers are essential frontline workers who are working every day to feed the nation and keep our communities safe but are especially vulnerable in this crisis,” added Huerta.