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°Ä²Ê¿ª½± Action Fund Statement on Exclusion of Immigrants and Low-wage Workers From the Coronavirus Stimulus Proposal

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The °Ä²Ê¿ª½± Action Fund issued the following statement today about the exclusion of immigrants and low-wage workers from the federal government’s plans for a $2 trillion economic stimulus package in response to the financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. The statement is by Meredith Stewart, senior supervising attorney with the °Ä²Ê¿ª½± Action Fund’s Immigrant Justice Project.Ìý
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“Now, more than ever, it is clear how crucial the contributions made by immigrant and low-wage workers are to our country. Immigrants and low-wage workers are woven into the fabric of this economy, yet the current proposed stimulus completely disregards this fact by failing to include them in the proposed relief package.
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“As members of Congress debate and pontificate, these workers are literally on the front lines – stocking groceries, cleaning our hospitals, providing care for our most vulnerable – all the while exposing themselves and their families to the coronavirus.Ìý
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“This stimulus must NOT move forward until there are adequate safeguards for their health and well-being. At the least, testing and treatment must be made available to all – regardless of immigration status. Additionally, any economic stimulus must include meaningful elements to provide for these workers.
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“This illness doesn’t discriminate; neither should we.â€