Publication
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to highlight just how interconnected our economies, communities, and lives have become. Workers and employers are still fighting to mitigate damage from the pandemic, and, thanks to President Biden’s American Rescue Plan and the coronavirus vaccine, recovery is on the horizon. This report highlights the role of immigrants in our economy as a whole as well as the contribution they have made during the pandemic and can make during the recovery. Immigrants have played a vital role in the pandemic, contributing to work in essential industries despite facing racial and ethnic discrimination. Additionally, immigrants have enriched our communities through the ownership of individual businesses like restaurants that have been devastated by the ongoing pandemic. The following report attempts to quantify the contributions of Pennsylvania’s foreign-born workforce. While much of their contributions are incalculable, there are economic contributions that can be measured and explored.
Publication
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought increased recognition of immigrants’ critical contributions to our communities and economies. Our nation’s immigration policy and safety net programs, however, still do not reflect this reality. Undocumented immigrants are both disproportionately represented among industries experiencing job loss due to the pandemic and essential workers who risk their lives to perform critical work, including caring for our loved ones, keeping our stores stocked and running, and growing, preparing, and delivering our food. While most people facing financial hardship can benefit from government aid, including the federal stimulus payments and unemployment insurance, discriminatory eligibility criteria bar many immigrants from the same access to financial assistance.
Publication
THE NEW YORK STATE EXCLUDED WORKER FUND at last provides a meaningful level of assistance to undocumented workers who have been excluded from major federal pandemic assistance. The $2.1 billion fund creates two tiers of aid. Tier 1 is on a rough par with unemployment insurance and provides $15,600 to undocumented workers who can meet its strict standards of proof of eligibility. Tier 2 pays $3,200 and is on a par with the three rounds of federal stimulus payments ($1,200, $600, and $1,400). Statewide, the Fiscal Policy Institute estimates that 290,000 workers will benefit from the Excluded Worker Fund. That includes 92,000 we estimate will qualify for Tier 1 benefits and 199,000 for Tier 2 benefits.
Publication
Due process—the right to fair and equal treatment under the law—is one of the most fundamental values of the US legal system. Unfortunately, immigration proceedings are one area of that system where due process and the justice it affords is lacking. Immigration proceedings are the only part of the US legal system where there is no automatic right to be represented by an attorney in court.
Our latest report shows that a statewide legal defense fund, similar to one established by the City and County of Denver, would give due process to many immigrants who are not currently afforded it. In addition to allowing us to better live up to the values of our legal system, it would also result in millions of dollars in savings for workers, families, employers, and the state.