Should Unauthorized Immigrants Receive Coronavirus Relief Funding?

What’s the story?

• On Friday, a Republican motion that sought to remove provisions in House Democrats’ $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill that would enable unauthorized immigrants to receive economic stimulus payments of up to $1,200 per person was narrowly defeated.
• The motion to recommit was offered by Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA) and failed on a 198-209 vote with all Republicans and 13 Democrats in favor; while 208 Democrats and Rep. Justin Amash (I-MI) successfully opposed the motion.
• Despite passing 208-199, the underlying bill ― known as The Heroes Act (H.R. 6800), ― isn’t expected to advance any further in Congress and it’s unlikely that financial aid for unauthorized immigrants will find bipartisan support in a future “phase 4” coronavirus relief package.
• Across the country, a plan created by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to provide up to $1,000 per household to unauthorized immigrant families will go into effect on Monday, May 18th. California is the first state to implement such a plan.
• The funding will come from a $125 million public-private disaster relief fund that’s financed with $75 million from the state of California and $50 million from philanthropic groups. Applications will be approved on a first-come, first-serve basis until the state funding runs out and is expected to help roughly 150,000 unauthorized immigrant adults, according to the state’s social services agency.

What do you think? Should unauthorized immigrants receive coronavirus relief funding? Or should relief programs be focused on American citizens & legal U.S. residents?

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: iStock.com / photovs)