Advocates Announce New Funds For Immigrant Oregonians Struggling in the Pandemic Economy
Workers who have lost jobs or wages are encouraged to reach out to community organizations for assistance
From the Oregon Worker Relief coalition:
Oregon Worker Relief announced a new round of financial assistance to immigrant Oregonians who have lost work due to the pandemic, but are excluded from other relief programs based on their immigration status. Affected workers can apply to receive between $625 and $2,500, depending on their situation.
One in eight workers in Oregon is an immigrant, making up an essential share of the state’s labor force across all industries. Immigrant Oregonians who are undocumented pay approximately $81 million each year in taxes each year, according to a report by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. Yet many immigrant Oregonians are excluded from public safety net programs such as Unemployment Insurance or the federal stimulus, leading to increased housing insecurity, hunger, and hardship during the pandemic.
Advocates across the state applauded the reopening of the Oregon Worker Relief Fund and urged affected Oregonians to apply. “The pandemic has created a turbulent and uneven economy for Oregonians,” said Martha Sonato, Board President of Oregon Worker Relief. “Many protections like the eviction moratorium have evaporated, leaving laid-off workers and their families extremely vulnerable. This relief will help immigrant Oregonians make ends meet if they are faced with lost wages.”
“Every day I see how workers without immigration status support every part of our state, including healthcare, agriculture, food service, child care and construction,” said Elba Alegría, a community navigator with Pueblo Unido PDX. “The pandemic underscored the fact that our communities cannot be healthy and well unless we make sure everyone can meet their basic needs. I’m glad to help people who have lost jobs or wages access worker relief so they can support their families and get back on their feet.”
The Oregon Legislature recently awarded $65 million to the Relief Fund. Oregon Worker Relief is opening the fund to recipients just two weeks after receiving the funding.
More than 100 community partners, including Seeding Justice, PCUN, Latino Network and Innovation Law Lab, came together to start Oregon Worker Relief in 2020. The groups seek to strengthen community resilience through an innovative new model of support—direct financial relief to immigrant Oregonians. So far, Oregon Worker Relief has provided over 40,000 immigrant Oregonians and their families with over $72 million in relief, allowing families to stay in their homes, put food on the table and make ends meet.
Anyone who thinks they may qualify can find more information by visiting the Oregon Worker Relief website or following Oregon Worker Relief on Facebook.
