California Announces Plan to Give Illegal Immigrants a One-Time Coronavirus Relief Check

As Americans are starting to receive $1,200 coronavirus relief checks, there is one group that will not be getting the money: Those who are in the country illegally.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced on Wednesday that his state is establishing a new fund to provide coronavirus relief checks to illegal immigrants in the state.

The fund is a public-private partnership designed to give 150,000 illegal immigrants a one-time $500 coronavirus relief check per adult — there will be a $1,000 cap per household. California will contribute $75 million, while philanthropic groups will contribute another $50 million to the fund.

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

“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,” said Laurene Powell Jobs, Founder and President of Emerson Collective.”

She continued, “With the federal government and so many states failing to provide undocumented immigrants the economic and health supports all Americans deserve, I hope that corporations, foundations, and individuals across the country will join us in providing the emergency relief these members of our community need to weather this challenging time.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) both voiced concern that the $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill, which sends Americans the relief checks, left out those who were in the country illegally, as IJR has previously reported.

Several lawmakers have introduced proposals to ensure that everyone in the country is able to get relief checks even if they do not have a social security number and are not in the country legally.