Newsom Unveils $125M Fund For Immigrant Workers In CA Illegally

CALIFORNIA — Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday a $125 million disaster relief assistance program for immigrant workers who entered the country illegally. Newsom simultaneously announced efforts to aid Californians seeking unemployment as the state looks to offset the economic fallout of the new coronavirus.

The state says the program is the first of its kind in the country. It will include $75 million for disaster relief assistance and $50 that California's philanthropic partners have committed to raising, according to a statement from the governor's office.

“California is the most diverse state in the nation. Our diversity makes us stronger and more resilient," Newsom said in the statement. "Every Californian, including our undocumented neighbors and friends, should know that California is here to support them during this crisis."

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The $75 million disaster relief fund will serve immigrants who need help offsetting costs associated with the new coronavirus but can't apply for unemployment insurance and disaster relief because of their immigration status, the statement said.

Some 150,000 immigrants in the country illegally will be able to apply next month for a one-time cash benefit of $500 per adult and up to $1,000 per household. The money will be distributed at the community level through regional nonprofits, according to the statement.

The other $50 million will be raised by Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees, a group of immigration-focused foundations, according to the statement. Initial investments of $5.5 million have come from groups including Blue Shield of California Foundation, The California Endowment, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Emerson Collective.

This money will go to families of immigrants in the country illegally.

Emerson Collective President and founder Lauren Powell Jobs said in the statement that she hopes corporations, foundations and people will step up to help immigrants who are in the country illegally. The federal government and other states have fallen short, she said.

“During this moment of national crisis, undocumented immigrants are risking their own health on behalf of the rest of us, saving lives as health care workers; caring for our loved ones; and growing much of the food we depend on,” Powell Jobs said.

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Californians upset by Newsom's announcement quickly responded, with #RecallGavinNewsom trending on Twitter in the Golden State. Just last week #PresidentNewsom was trending on the site.

Critics condemned his decision to offer assistance to people who are in the country illegally and still have jobs. Supporters argued that working immigrants are deserving because they put themselves at risk by continuing to do jobs that others rely on.

Newsom also announced Wednesday that the state is looking to ensure all residents, regardless of immigration status, can receive testing and treatment for COVID-19.

Immigrants in the country illegally can only qualify for a limited scope of Medi-Cal benefits, but they may access emergency- or pregnancy-related services. Services related to COVID-19 are considered emergency services, according to the statement.

Read California's immigrant resource guide here.

Read the order here:

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