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Will California be first state to offer unemployment benefits to undocumented workers?

The Fresno Bee - 7/30/2020

Jul. 30--The California Legislature is considering extending unemployment benefits to undocumented workers who have lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Legislature on Monday released its "Major Components of Joint Economic Stimulus Plan." In the plan, the Legislature listed an item to "fill gaps in unemployment Insurance, including extending to undocumented workers, shortfalls resulting from if the federal government does not extend the $600 per week payment, and other holes that remain."

Ana Padilla, executive director of UC Merced's Community and Labor Center, said to her knowledge, no other state provides such benefits to undocumented workers. If California's plan gets approved, she said, it would be "historic."

Padilla said it's difficult to tell whether this item will eventually get approval, but the fact that lawmakers are talking about it, "speaks volumes."

"It is very notable that it is listed as a priority," she said.

The Fresno County Republican Party has said any help during the coronavirus pandemic should go exclusively to U.S. citizens.

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A study from the Community and Labor Center had emphasized the importance of a safety net, in addition to employer guidelines and precautionary measures, she said. The Safety Net for All Coalition and advocates had also pushed for a program that would provide a $400 weekly payment to unemployed and underemployed undocumented workers.

Funding for the program didn't make it into the Legislature's proposed budget in June.

"Our calls for prompt relief and a bit of human kindness have been heard and we hope soon not another family will go hungry or without essentials such as medication, bars of soap and other hygiene products, as the COVID-19 pandemic wreaks havoc in the Golden State," Angelica Salas, executive director for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, said in a statement Tuesday.

Earlier this month, the Community and Labor Center published a report that found low-wage work, such as agricultural, meat-packing, warehouse, and grocery retail was associated with the spread of COVID-19. According to the report, 34.4% of households in Fresno County earn an income that's below the living wage.

Latinos concentrate in low-wage jobs, and especially those who are undocumented, don't have any benefits, Padilla said.

Low-wage workers are going to go to work even if they are feeling sick, Padilla said. They are not able to take 14 days off to quarantine if they are experiencing symptoms.

"It's tough to talk about mitigating spread among the Latino community without talking about a safety net and how it also plays a role in minimizing the spread of COVID-19," she said.

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