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Thousands of restaurant workers, many of whom are immigrants, are out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic. In New York, 60 percent of hospitality industry workers are unemployed, according to the latest unemployment figures. Social service centers such as Alianza Ecuatoriana Internacional in Corona, Queens, are providing much-needed help to the many who are out of work. The organization’s executive director said many people who come to their food bank are former restaurant and food workers. The city has started allowing outdoor dining, but only half of the city’s restaurants have opted to do so, and most are only getting 30 to 50 percent of their normal volume. That has left some workers still unemployed, and as a result, struggling for food and facing eviction from their homes. Eater
In other local immigration news…
Help us Cover the Election!
It’s hard to imagine the election is only around 100 days away. At Documented, we want our election coverage to be informed by issues that matter to readers, so we want your feedback. If you’re interested, please email info@documentedny.com with your thoughts on this question: What immigration-related issues do you want the candidates to be talking about as they compete for votes?
New Coalition Aims to Activate Haitian Vote
A new coalition has formed to help rally Haitian voters in New York and across the country. The Haitian American Voter Empowerment Coalition is a political advocacy group crafting policy priorities for the Haitian diaspora in the U.S. The board consists of elected officials and civil society leaders from South Florida, New York, Massachusetts and elsewhere. Its work will begin in Florida, but expand to other places where the Haitian population has been growing. The Haitian Times
