Achievements
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As the pandemic laid bare the life-threatening nature of long-accepted inequalities, the federal government strategically excluded unauthorized immigrants and their spouses from stimulus support.
California IAF organizations across the state scrambled to get their people on Zoom calls. On these calls, people shared gut-wrenching stories: layoffs were widespread, the rent was due and undocumented people were excluded from most forms of aid. The push for access to the California Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) emerged from these conversations held online. “It came from the lament of the people,” said the Rev. Arturo Corral... continue reading →
The parish identification strategy was developed in the context of federal and Texas state policy failures that fomented fear among immigrants.
With no path to legalization for millions ready to embrace the responsibilities of living in America, changes in Texas state law increased the vulnerability of families and communities. In 2008, Texas began denying licenses for immigrants unable to show proof of legal residency. In 2017, Texas passed Senate Bill 4, allowing law enforcement officers to inquire about immigration status and to ask for proof of legal residency. This forced local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Newly... continue reading →
Since the beginning of Recognizing the Stranger (RTS), West/Southwest IAF organizations have worked with local and state governments to better secure housing for low-income individuals and families, including immigrants -- documented and undocumented. Prior to the pandemic, this meant primarily working with tenant leaders to address predatory landlords and abusive practices. But when the pandemic suddenly eliminated thousands of construction and service industry jobs, West/Southwest IAF organizations quickly pivoted to protecting families from evictions through strategies including moratoriums, rent freezes and direct rental assistance.
One such case was in Brazoria County, south of Houston, where Carmen Trejo of St. John the... continue reading →
West/Southwest Industrial Areas Foundation organizations have long pioneered workforce initiatives that help working people move from low-paying jobs to living-wage careers. In eight communities in Iowa, Arizona, Louisiana, and Texas, IAF organizations established long-term training programs (labor market intermediaries) that have benefited tens of thousands of people.
At the onset of the Covid-19 shutdown, San Antonio was plunged into economic crisis. Over 122,000 workers filed jobless claims, 9,000 households sought emergency housing assistance, and the San Antonio Food Bank was serving 120,000 people a week. Those... continue reading →