Business, Clergy Leaders Call on Legislature to Pass Immigrant COVID Aid in New Jersey

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Latino Clergy and National Action Network Leaders Urge Passage of A4171/S2480, Bills Stalled in the Legislature to Bring Aid to Immigrants

New Jersey – Monday November 16, 2020: On Monday,  clergy and business leaders from New Jersey Coalition of Latino Pastors and Ministers, Faith in New Jersey, Make the Road New Jersey, NJ Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, LADA, African Diaspora for Justice, National Action Network and Wind of the Spirit held a press conference to urge passage of legislation to extend COVID aid to the state’s half million undocumented immigrants and their families that have been excluded from most safety net programs and aid. You can see the livestream here: https://www.facebook.com/maketheroadnj/videos/1456459091216781

“Immigrants account for 30% of New Jersey and almost 50% of all main street businesses,” stated Luis De La hoz, Chairman of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of NJ.  “There are over 120,000 Latino-owned businesses that contribute $20 billion annually to New Jersey’s economy. As such, when “The Backbone” of our communities hurts we all lose. Let’s get Bill A2480/A4171 passed during this legislative cycle.”

In New Jersey, undocumented immigrants have been disproportionately harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic and are excluded from nearly every form of government aid. Many undocumented immigrants work in essential occupations, including delivery, warehouse, health care, and cleaning professions, which have allowed millions of New Jerseyans to shelter in place during the worst months of the pandemic. Despite their contributions, undocumented immigrants are ineligible for unemployment insurance, TANF, SNAP, and most other safety net programs. In addition, the federal CARES Act stimulus payments excluded undocumented immigrant taxpayers and their US citizen spouses and children. In New Jersey, by some estimates, 604,615 people in New Jersey, including 262,527 U.S. citizens, lived with at least one undocumented family member.

Pending legislation S2480/A4171 would provide one time payments to some undocumented tax filers in New Jersey. This legislation currently has bipartisan support in the state legislature and 19 co-sponsors in the Senate and 26 in the Assembly. Recently, the Star Ledger editorial board endorsed the legislation, calling it a “reasonable first step” to meet the vast need.

Speakers included: Rev. Raul Ruiz, president of the New Jersey Coalition of Latino Pastors and Ministers; Abril Barrales, owner of Ay Chihuahua restaurant in Passaic, NJ and member of Make the Road NJ; Luis De La Hoz, NJ Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Reverend Steffie Bartley, National Action Network; Rev Dr Prince A.Z.K. Adekoya, II , President African Diaspora for Justice; Andres Acebo, Latin American Democratic Association President ; Rabbi Joel Abraham, Faith in New Jersey and Rev. Osvaldo Jimenez, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Morristown NJ; Volunteer Chaplain of Morris County Jail.

All men and women are created equal. Legal and udocumented immigrants are here to stay”, stated Rev. Dr. Prince A.Z.K Adekoya, II, President of African Diaspora For Justice.  “We work in restaurants, hotels, nail salons, construction and so many more that others are not willing to do.  It is time for the New Jersey government to understand that we are not invisible and pass bill A2480/A4171.”