New Jersey Citizen Action applauds bill providing assistance to immigrants excluded from federal pandemic relief

Trenton—New Jersey Citizen Action (NJCA) today applauded legislation introduced by Senators Teresa Ruiz and Nicholas Scutari that would provide some $35 million in direct cash assistance to  Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) users. The number allows individuals to pay federal taxes regardless of their immigration status.  Thus far, approximately 500,000 undocumented immigrants in New Jersey have been intentionally excluded from federal stimulus relief. They contribute some $600 million in local and state taxes and many work essential jobs, risking their lives daily during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sponsors estimate that S2480, if passed into law, will help some 35,000 individuals.

“This is an important first step forward in providing direct relief to workers and families so far excluded from pandemic relief efforts, and we applaud Senators Ruiz and Scutari for introducing this legislation,” said Dena Mottola Jaborska, Associate Director of New Jersey Citizen Action. “If New Jersey is to survive and rebuild we need to ensure all our workers and families have access to assistance they need to make it through his pandemic. We call on the State Legislature to support this bill and urge them to keep working with advocates and communities to get relief to those who badly need relief but remain ineligible for it. New Jersey will not make a full recovery from this crisis unless it’s a recovery for all our residents.”

NJCA noted that this bill and other relief bills advanced with additional expenses attached require the New Jersey Legislature and the Governor to work together to identify new revenue and funding sources, both short and long term, to fund the pandemic recovery, and continue their vital efforts to secure additional federal funding. These sources include the NJ COVID-19 Emergency Bond Act, and sustainable new revenues derived fairly to minimize the impact on those least likely to afford a tax, toll or fee increase.

“We simply cannot assist families in need and recovering from the COVID19 pandemic by continuing to forgo new revenue or funding sources,” said Mottola Jaborska.

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New Jersey Citizen Action is a statewide advocacy and social service organization that fights for social, racial and economic justice for all while also meeting the pressing needs of low and moderate income New Jerseyans through education and direct service.