FAQs

• What is the MassUndocuFund?

• How does the MassUndocuFund help undocumented immigrants?

• Who is involved? 

• How are the funds managed?

• Why does the Massachusetts UndocuFund focus solely on Massachusetts?

• Why is this a fund specifically for undocumented immigrants needed?

• How many undocumented immigrants are being affected?

• Who is eligible for support from the MassUndocuFund?

• What is the application process?

• Who makes the decisions?

• What percentage of my donation went to families impacted by Covid-19?

• How much will MassUndocuFund provide for each worker and their family?

• What is the procedure to apply for funds?

• Do you have a phone number for the intake process?

• How long is it going to take to receive an answer once I complete the intake form?

• How long will it take to receive the funds once I do an intake?

• Can you send me the money right now?

• Where does this money come from?

• Are you providing assistance from the government?

• How will you distribute the funds?

• Is my donation tax deductible?

• Are you accepting donations of clothing, furniture, tools, etc.?

• How can I volunteer and/or support the MassUndocuFund?

The MassUndocuFund is a collective local effort to ensure that undocumented individuals and families who have been impacted by the pandemic have the support and resources necessary to recover and rebuild their lives in Massachusetts, where many have put down deep roots. Affected immigrants include our friends, neighbors, coworkers, and fellow students. Many care for our children and elderly parents; clean our homes, hotel rooms, and office spaces; cook and serve our restaurant meals; maintain our lawns and landscaping; and tend to and harvest the crops in our Commonwealth. Back to Top

The MassUndocuFund assists individuals and families who have lost their wages and/or employment due to the pandemic. The fund will assist with expenses, including but not limited to: temporary housing, home repairs, rent, groceries, essential household items, clean-up items, medical and dental expenses, tools and equipment required for work, school supplies, repair of essential vehicles, moving and storage expenses, and funeral and burial expenses.

Applicants will apply for funds by completing the form on the Apply section of this website. An intake coordinator will call the applicant and complete the intake form. On that call, the intake coordinator will also connect applicants with resources to help with other emergency relief efforts, housing, immigration, workers rights, health care, and legal issues. Back to Top

MassUndocuFund is a partnership among Massachusetts-based grassroots immigrant organizations and workers centers that have a solid reputation, strong track record, and are known to and trusted by many undocumented residents, including Massachusetts Jobs with Justice, MataHari Women’s Worker Centers, and One Fair Wage. The MassUndocuFund is supported by a large network of immigrant-serving organizations that have close ties to immigrant communities across Massachusetts and that helped publicize the fund and identify eligible individuals and families. As a result, the MassUndocuFund is more likely to reach undocumented pandemic victims than other relief efforts.

Our founding partners in this project will be the One Fair Wage campaign (which engages restaurant workers) and Matahari Eye of The Day (a worker’s center for domestic workers). The three organizations will collaborate to determine selection criteria and outreach to other worker’s centers, unions, and community groups who can help to get the word out to their immigrant members. Back to Top

Massachusetts Jobs with Justice also known as Center for Labor Education and Research serves as fiscal sponsor. CLEAR  is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity; CLEAR’s tax identification number is 22-2604923 and the Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 5258765584. Back to Top

The Covid-19 Pandemic is an international disaster, but the three founding organizations work largely in this state.

Unlike other pandemic victims, undocumented immigrants do not qualify for federal assistance such as the FEMA or unemployment benefits. Even when they or their children are eligible for resources and services, their lack of immigration status, limited English proficiency, and fear of immigration enforcement prevent them from seeking assistance. Fear, discomfort or lack of familiarity with law enforcement, county government, and mainstream aid organizations present additional barriers. Back to Top

An estimated 250,000 undocumented immigrants live and work in Massachusetts. Undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts predominantly work in sectors that have been or will be hard hit, including service, hospitality, child and elder care, day labor, and agriculture more broadly. Many are losing wages or jobs during the shutdown of local businesses and schools during the pandemic, and others worked for companies whose operations were affected at varying levels, from temporary disruption to complete loss. [Source: Pew Research Center]

There are approximately 64,821 service workers are immigrants in Massachusetts. Of which, around 61,736 are custodians whose offices and universities are closed. Across the state, there are around 41,000 undocumented immigrants who have at least one child living with them. [Source: Migration Policy Institute ]

In Massachusetts, undocumented immigrants contribute about $184.6 million in state and local taxes (in addition to federal taxes). [Source: Lisa Christensen Gee et al., “Undocumented Immigrants’ State & Local Tax Contributions,”] Back to Top

Undocumented immigrants who are residents of Massachusetts and heads of household who have experienced loss of housing, vehicles, other possessions, wages, and/or jobs due to the pandemic. Back to Top

The streamlined application process utilizes a simple intake form, which is completed by community partner organizations. The staff of these partner organizations have experience in case management and client services, and they have been specifically trained on the MassUndocuFund intake form and referral process. Back to Top

Once an application has been submitted, it undergoes a review process that includes verification and other due diligence.

A steering committee with representatives from Massachusetts Jobs with Justice, MataHari Women’s Workers Center and Restaurant Opportunity Center, in consultation with immigrant community leaders, has established the eligibility criteria, developed a streamlined application process, and put in place guidelines for determining awards. Upon completion of a thorough review process and final review and approval by the steering committee, funds are disbursed to families and individuals in need according to established criteria and guidelines.

Massachusetts Jobs with Justice has a long-standing history with frontline community organizations and worker centers that work directly with undocumented workers. Together we advocate to protect workers at their job, stop deportations and detentions to keep families together, and advance policies and laws. We will be working with these well respected and trusted organizations to recruit workers and families to seek our funds. See the list of organizations here. Back to Top

The aim is to get as much aid to families. We will put aside 10% of contributions to allocate for administrative costs, including administration and disbursement of the funds and additional staff capacity, as well as to allocate for credit-card processing fees and an audit in the future. We will need additional staff capacity to make this project work. Back to Top

We will award each worker and their family a fund amount of $300. Back to Top

Visit the Apply section of our website. Fill in the safe and secure form with your name, phone number, town or city, and preferred language. You will then receive a call from a blocked number from an intake coordinator and conduct an intake interview over the phone. Interviews will be about 30 minutes long and the intake coordinator will fill out the form with you over the phone. Your submission for a fund request will then be approved by the Steering Committee. Finally, you will receive a call from the intake coordinator confirming your approval and your funds will be sent, in check form, via mail. Back to Top

There’s a process that I can go over with you as well as some other ways to seek help from your neighbors (see our Resources page). Back to Top

No, we are volunteers with nonprofit organizations, immigrant rights groups and immigrant worker centers. We are community organizers and activists advocating for workers’ rights and immigrant rights. Back to Top

It comes from donations from our neighbors across the state! Right now, we have had 660 contributions with donations ranging from $5.00 to $6,000.00 and an average contribution of $107.89. In total we have raised more than $100,000. Back to Top

In order to keep our applicants’ information safe and secure, we do not have a phone number. Once we receive your initial form via the Apply section of our website, an Intake coordinator will call you to do an Intake interview with you from a safe and secure phone system. Back to Top

After your intake interview, you should receive a phone call the following Monday to give you an answer. Back to Top

After your confirmation call on Monday, we will mail out the check the next day. Back to Top

We will mail you a physical check. Back to Top

Yes, your donation is made to a 501(c)(3) organization and is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

DONATION RECEIPTS

If you did not receive a proper receipt, or have other donation-related issues, please contact: bookkeeper@massjwj.net

Please include:

• Method you used to donate (check, online portal, etc.)

• Date and time of your donation or attempt

• Full name

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Thanks to the incredible outpouring of community support, we do not accept small-scale donations. We will make a public announcement if that changes. Please visit our blog post for information on how you can donate to Mutual aid groups across the state! If you would like to donate a vehicle, trailer, or other such high-value item, please contact MassUndocuFund@massjwj.net. Back to Top

• Share the news and ask your friends and family to donate.

• Fill out the application form to volunteer.

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