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.
Car barrels into crowd outside California bar, gunfire erupts in chaotic scene caught on video
DHS touts ‘most secure border’ in US history amid departure of nearly 3M illegal immigrants
Trump awards back-to-back Medals of Honor during State of the Union address
Inside the Chamber: Trump gets under Democrats’ skin at State of the Union
Spanberger slams Trump on ‘affordability’ in SOTU response — as Virginia Democrats push new taxes
Trump awards Purple Hearts to National Guard members ambushed in Washington, DC: ‘We love you all’
‘We did not hear the truth from the president’: Spanberger squares up to Trump in State of the Union rebuttal
White House unloads on Democrats who ‘failed’ Trump’s State of the Union ‘test’
Trump admin sues University of California for allegedly fostering hostile workplace for Jewish employees
WATCH: ‘These People Are Crazy!’ – Trump Unloads on Democrats During SOTU With a Never Before Seen Passion
BREAKING VIDEO: Chaos Breaks Out at SOTU After Trump Asks Everyone in Favor of Putting US Citizens Before Illegals to Rise
SOTU Video: Democrats Refuse to Stand After Trump Announces Lowest RX Drug Prices in the World Coming to US
BREAKING: Rep. Al Green Escorted Out of State of the Union Barely 60 Seconds Into Trump’s Speech
Democrats targeted over ‘illegal orders’ video attend Trump State of the Union
Alert: Schumer Gives Chilling 7 Seconds of Press Comments After Iran Briefing – Zero Attacks on Trump, Obvious Worry, Pure Seriousness
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.
