California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Wednesday plans to give cash payments to adult immigrants living illegally in the state to help them weather the coronavirus crisis.
The plan, which would use a mix of taxpayer money and charitable donations from corporations and philanthropists, will give 150,000 adults $500 each during the coronavirus outbreak, the governor said.
California has had an estimated 2 million immigrants living in the country illegally. They have not been eligible for the $2.2 trillion stimulus package approved by Congress last month, which pledged cash payments to most Americans while boosting unemployment benefits by $600 per week.
“We feel a deep sense of gratitude for people that are in fear of deportations that are still addressing essential needs of tens of millions of Californians,” said Newsom, a Democrat, who noted 10 percent of the state’s workforce consisted of immigrants living in the country illegally who paid over $2.5 billion in state and local taxes last year.
Influential Democratic Congressman Dies at Age 77 – Special Election to Be Held
Trump blames Biden for getting US into a ‘mess with Russia’
Vets group patching border fence pledges vigilance amid Trump success: ‘There are still gaps’
Oregon Mental Health Advisory Board Member Identifies as Turtle – We’re Not Joking
17-vehicle crash in Austin, Texas leaves 3 adults, 2 kids dead
Ukraine Losing Major Foothold, Putin Appears in Midst of New Russian Offensive Wearing Military Fatigues
Democratic Senate leader caves to Republicans in government shutdown standoff and more top headlines
Republican AGs praise teamwork with feds on crime ahead of meeting with Trump, Bondi
New York lawmaker demands HALT Act be repealed after Hochul fired 2,000 prison guards
Dems cry foul after Schumer’s announcement on impending vote to avert government shutdown
City lights and crime
Politics is not a religion: Elected officials are humans, not demigods, and fallible like everyone else
Trump goes to war against ‘epidemic’ of nationwide injunctions
The Democrats’ Obama dilemma: They need a new leader, but no one has stepped up
USPS signs agreement with DOGE, agrees to cut 10,000 workers: ‘Broken business model’
Taxpayers would be kicking in $75 million for the money, while a group of charities has committed to raise another $50 million for a total of $125 million. A group of charities already has donated $5.5 million for the fund, including the Emerson Collective, Blue Shield of California Foundation, the California Endowment, the James Irvine Foundation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and an anonymous donor.
Newsom said the money will not be distributed based on income. “Their personal information will not be required to get those support,” he added.
