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.
Phoenix gas station murder suspect had weapons charge tossed before fatal shooting, records show
California ‘party mom’ accused of grooming victims for sex, drinking in ritzy mansion, teens testify at trial
‘Bond villain’: Newsom roasted as photo of him posing with ‘sugar daddy’ Alex Soros goes viral
Watch: House Democrat Makes Spectacularly Hypocritical Argument Against Holding the Clintons in Contempt of Congress
Here Are the 9 Dems Who Voted to Hold Clintons in Contempt – 2 Are Jaw-Droppers Few People Ever Saw Coming
Former special counsel Jack Smith to testify publicly over Trump investigations
Trump and world leaders sign Gaza Board of Peace charter
A rare filing in the Lisa Cook–Trump case could sway Supreme Court justices
Congress strikes rare agreement on Chinese espionage threats to US drivers
US immigration authorities allow suspect in $100M jewelry heist to self-deport before trial
Judge rules NYC’s lone Republican congressional district unconstitutional, orders redraw
Rahm Emanuel calls for mandatory retirement age of 75 for people in public office
Teen mass killer pleads guilty to NC rampage that left five dead, including brother, police officer
Barron Trump Saved a Woman’s Life as She Was Being Beaten by Her Boyfriend in UK, Reported Victim Says
Organizer of GoFundMe for ‘agitating the Nazis’ involved in anti-ICE uprising at Minneapolis church
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.
