California EITC
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 of Our Lady Queen of Angels / La Placita Catholic Church in Los Angeles, a One LA-IAF leader
In response, 1,200 community leaders, 10 Bishops and 7 state legislators converged on Zoom and Facebook Live to demand that the Governor and legislature provide immediate relief for essential workers left out of state and federal relief.
"There are millions of California workers who take care of our elders, our children, grow our food, and get it to the stores. Many of them are undocumented, but their work contributes billions of dollars to the California economy," said Rev. Dr. Julie Roberts-Fronk, co-chair of the action and a leader with ICON.
Now, undocumented families with young children have access to life-sustaining payments in the form of the California Earned Income Tax Credit (Cal EITC) - an expansion worth $125 Million per year.
The following year, when it became apparent that statewide eviction protections excluded low-income and undocumented immigrants, they assembled again (on Zoom!) to persuade legislators to protect 758,000 low-income and undocumented immigrants from forced displacement.
The Old-School Organizers Who Got It Done on Zoom, High Country News [pdf]
Faith, Community Leaders Praise Tax Break for Undocumented Workers, Good Times [pdf]
California IAF Declares a Victory for Essential Workers, California IAF
No Relief Here, Voices of Monterey Bay [pdf]
The Fight to Short Up The Safety Net for Undocumented Workers, KAZU [pdf]
Immigrant Workers Face Economic Uncertainty During Covid-19 Shutdown, America Magazine [pdf]
Lideres Religiosos Piden Mas Apoyo Para la Comunidad Inmigrante, [VIDEO] Telemundo Bay Area [pdf]
Local Faith Leaders Support Undocumented Workers, Los Altos Crier [pdf]
Líderes Religiosos Piden al Estado que Apoye a los Inmigrantes Indocumentados, The Pajaronian [pdf]
Faith Leaders Call on State to Support Undocumented Immigrants, The Pajaronian [pdf]
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