MassUndocuFund Reaches Halfway Mark to $1 MILLION for Covid-19 Relief

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 20th 2020

 Massachusetts Jobs with Justice

MASSACHUSETTS UNDOCUFUND REACHES HALFWAY MARK TO $1 MILLION FUNDING GOAL FOR COVID-19 RELIEF

Aid received by 322 MA workers and families ineligible for state and federal relief

BOSTON: The Massachusetts UndocuFund for COVID-19 Relief has raised $500,000 of its $1 Million initial funding goal. The Fund was created to address the needs of those Massachusetts workers and their families who are overlooked by federal relief efforts. A total of 322 people benefited since the distribution of funds began on April 14th. Over half of that number are parents with children in our Commonwealth.

The number of undocumented workers living and working in Massachusetts is estimated at 250,000. [Source: Massachusetts Department of Public Health] According to the Massachusetts UndocuFund, requests for aid have originated from 32 cities and towns across the Commonwealth, representing all but the two counties with the least reported cases per capita. Recipients live in cities and towns across the Commonwealth, such as Springfield, Chicopee, Northampton, Greenfield, Turner Falls, Ashland, Worcester, Westborough, Grafton, Shrewsbury, Leicester, Leominster, Clinton, Framingham, Lowell, Revere, Lynn, Salem, Malden, Billerica, Brockton, New Bedford, Falmouth, Boston, Watertown,  Malden, Revere, Winthrop, and Chelsea. 

Undocumented immigrants and their families are likely to be among those hardest hit financially by the pandemic. The most common types of employment for undocumented individuals in Massachusetts include day labor, hospitality, childcare, and eldercare. These workers face significant lost income as demand has reduced for jobs in those sectors. [Source: Pew Research Center] While $184.6 million in state and local taxes (in addition to federal taxes) is collected annually from undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts, these workers are not able to access many of the benefits supported by their tax contributions. 

Undocumented immigrants, unlike other victims of the pandemic, may be barred from state and federal relief efforts such as Unemployment benefits. Fear of deportation, unfamiliarity with official institutions, and lack of English proficiency can keep undocumented individuals from pursuing benefits even under circumstances in which they would qualify for them.

One recipient, Nelson of Framingham, wrote after he received his check, “Hola mi nombre es Nelson, Estoy muy contento y feliz, Por la ayuda que Nos están brindando, Mass Undocufund, y las compras de supermercado//Hello my name is Nelson, I’m so content and happy, for the help that you have given us, Mass Undocufund, and the groceries [that were donated to him and his family from Framingham Coronavirus Response group and Metrowest Immigrant Solidarity Network.].” Mass UndocuFund is connecting immigrants to local worker centers, community organizations, and mutual aid groups.

The Mass UndocuFund is a project of Massachusetts-based grassroots immigrant organizations and worker’s centers including founding partners Jobs with Justice, Matahari Women Workers’ Center, and One Fair Wage. Its mission is to support undocumented children, families, and communities in recovering and rebuilding their lives. The Fund’s partner organizations, which serve immigrant communities across the Commonwealth, collaborate to spread the word about the Fund and to connect to eligible individuals and families.

In addition to the 322 Massachusetts residents assisted so far, the Mass UndocuFund anticipates that the current funds will provide relief to an additional 1,100 individuals and families. A total of 3,333 requests for aid could be accommodated if the $1 million fundraising goal is met.

Members of the public can donate online and find more information at www.massundocufund.org . 

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Massachusetts Jobs with Justice is a coalition of over 160 community, faith, and labor groups in Massachusetts organizing working people and allies to fight for the rights of all workers: locally, nationally, and internationally.