The COVID-19 pandemic has further shown the federal government’s disregard of low-income immigrants and their struggles. In response, CARECEN created the Immigrant Families Fund to quell anxiety over this health crisis by disbursing funds for food, housing, and basic needs.
The immigrant community already faces an assortment of systemic barriers that have been further exacerbated by this crisis including the following:
- Fear of Accessing Healthcare Services – Community members are avoiding health centers out of fear that it may hurt their ability to naturalize or sponsor a loved one’s visa. The administration’s public charge rule went into effect last month and is particularly dangerous during this time.
- Job Insecurity – Employers have cut off many undocumented workers from their jobs, which are temporary and cash-based. Our community does not receive sick leave or unemployment benefits, which means that they are unable to miss work.
- Lack of Housing – Many of our immigrant community members, such as Day Laborers, are also in informal rental agreements (renting a room on a monthly basis or renting without a lease), so they do not necessarily fall under the protection of the recent moratoriums on evictions. Los Angeles is already facing a housing crisis that could be further exacerbated by the inability of many undocumented workers to pay for housing under the current Stay-in-Shelter orders.
- Food Insecurity - Many of our families have been experiencing ongoing food instability that is being further heightened by the lack of work, housing crisis, and the closure of schools.
How Will The Funds Be Used?
The Immigrant Families Fund will assist individuals through the following:
- Food Distribution - Provide emergency food distribution to low-income immigrant/refugee families and Day Laborers by supporting and partnering with local small businesses.
- Support for Basic Needs / Utilities - Community members will fill out an application that enquirers into what other immediate needs are such as housing, online education access, utilities and childcare. Once reviewed, we will distribute support on a case-by-case basis.
Together, we can ensure that no family is forgotten!