California is planning to provide financial support to undocumented immigrants after the January and March storms. Currently, the amount is expected to be part of a $95 million plan available starting in June.
The Storm Assistance for Immigrants Project is a $95 million plan for migrants who are not eligible for FEMA’s individual assistance. Other California residents were covered under the President’s Major Disaster Declaration.
In addition, California is providing unemployment benefits to unemployed illegal immigrants. The California Senate passed a law that provides money to unemployed immigrants.
The immigrants are expected to receive $300 per week and be available for up to 20 weeks. This will only add to California’s budget deficit of $31.5 billion.
Senator María Elena Durazo (D.) proposed Senate Bill 227, also called the Safety Net For All Workers Act, which was approved in a 30 to 7 vote. The bill provides all workers regardless of immigration status unemployment benefits.
Immigrant Luis Meija came from El Salvador and was working during the pandemic in San Francisco. His hours were cut and he was ineligible for unemployment benefits.
Meija said:
"If you look on the streets, under the bridges, there are people who, since the pandemic, continue to suffer the consequences and who have not been able to get back on their feet, so that is why this law is so important."
"We need the governor to sign it this year."
Governor Gavin Newsom has been in support of immigrants especially as the numbers have increased over recent years.
Do you think immigrants should get unemployment benefits?
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