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Russell, an undocumented immigrant, is one of many New York residents who has been out of work for a year because of the pandemic. He was let go from his administration job at a driving school in Queens. Russell’s immigration status kept him from receiving government assistance, including unemployment and stimulus benefits. He was brought back to work two months ago, but he only works one day a week, making it difficult for him to buy groceries, pay bills, or send money to family members in Bangladesh. New York state Democrats say there are at least 275,000 immigrants like Russell who would benefit from a $2.1 billion Excluded Workers Fund, which is part of the proposed state budget. Spectrum News
In other local immigration news…
Barricade Remains for Excluded Workers Fund
The Excluded Workers Fund is the final thing Democratic lawmakers want to include in the 2021-22 New York state budget. Lawmakers agreed to the budget with the fund included on Tuesday, but Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), who didn’t originally include the fund in his budget, has yet to sign it. Meanwhile about 30 Democratic Assembly members and 13 Democratic senators have apparently had private meetings to talk about their reservations regarding the $2.1 billion fund. Over the weekend, immigration advocates protested at the offices of assemblymembers Thomas Abinanti and Amy Paulin of Westchester, who oppose it. City & State New York
Brooklyn Community Organizations Supporting Hard-Hit Communities
When the Crown Heights-based Black Women’s Blueprint saw how domestic violence cases increased during the pandemic, they decided to step in. They launched the Sistas Van, a “mobile healing unit” to reach out to women in abusive relationships and those who need resources. The Black Women’s Blueprint is one of over 200 organizations that has partnered up with the Brooklyn Community Foundation, whose $3.3 million Brooklyn COVID-19 Response Fund helps nonprofits in communities of color. Another organization with BCF is Mixteca, which helps the Hispanic community with healthcare, education and immigration law. BKReader
