Tangible Support for Undocumented Communities During COVID-19
Immigrants Rising is committed to serving undocumented communities during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We put together this list of resources to help undocumented immigrants navigate the crisis. Please contact us if there are additional resources that you would like to add to this document. We will continue to update it as the situation develops.
Recursos para inmigrantes sobre COVID-19 en español—utilice este enlace Links to an external site.
Health Access & Guidance Regarding Covid-19 2 Links to an external site.
Connecting To Free/Low-Cost Resources 3 Links to an external site.
General 3 Links to an external site.
Workers with DACA 3 Links to an external site.
Supporting Businesses & Freelancers 4 Links to an external site.
Accessing Financial Capital 4 Links to an external site.
Housing 4 Links to an external site.
K-12 Resources 5 Links to an external site.
Organizing & Action-Oriented 5 Links to an external site.
Federal Government Updates 5 Links to an external site.
Social Distancing 6 Links to an external site.
Up-To-Date Tracking of COVID-19 Cases Worldwide 6 Links to an external site.
Other Resources for Immigrant Communities 6 Links to an external site.
ABOUT US 7 Links to an external site.
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Addressing Fear and Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
- Explore The Conversation’s 10 Reasons Why Not to Panic Links to an external site. to learn how we can collectively contain and defeat the Coronavirus
- Check out these tips from the Center for Disease Control on Managing Anxiety & Stress during infectious disease outbreaks in English Links to an external site. or Spanish Links to an external site.
- Learn about SAMHSA counseling services available to you through their Disaster Distress Helpline Links to an external site. and Response Mobile App Links to an external site.
- Check out this guide for parents and caregivers Links to an external site. to help families cope from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Get parenting guidance on talking to young and school-age children about coronavirus in English Links to an external site.or Spanish Links to an external site.
- Care for yourself and loved ones with the Informed Immigrant’s Mental Health Toolkit Links to an external site.
- Wednesdays and Sundays from 5-6 PM (PT), join Immigrants Rising’s virtual Wellness Gatherings Links to an external site. dedicated to helping undocumented young people stay grounded and connected to one another.
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Health Access & Guidance Regarding Covid-19
- USCIS has confirmed that the Public Charge rule does not restrict access to testing, screening, or treatment of communicable diseases, including COVID-19. USCIS Alert Links to an external site.
- Undocumented people still qualify for Emergency Medi-Cal Links to an external site.
- Protecting Immigrant Families explains your rights when accessing health services Links to an external site..
- United We Dream published a list of state-specific health care resources Links to an external site. for undocumented folks and a great video Links to an external site. about how to make your own hand sanitizer.
- Free Clinic Directory has nationwide resources for uninsured people to connect with affordable and free health clinics in their area. Links to an external site.
- One Degree connects low-income families to health resources Links to an external site. in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles County.
- Department of Public Health has FAQs in English Links to an external site., Spanish Links to an external site., Traditional Links to an external site. Chinese, Simplified Links to an external site. Chinese, Vietnamese Links to an external site., Tagalog Links to an external site., and Japanese Links to an external site.: wash hands, social distancing, extra caution for elderly/pregnant/those with underlying conditions. (Other languages also available)
- There are currently no home test kits for COVID-19. Avoid any suspected scams Links to an external site..
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Connecting To Free/Low-Cost Resources
- U-Haul is offering free storage units for 30 days Links to an external site. to college students.
- Several video conferencing software companies have opened up free access to their premium features including Cisco Webex Links to an external site., Google Hangouts (for schools and businesses) Links to an external site., and Zoom (for K-12 schools) Links to an external site.
- Carriers like Charter, Comcast, and AT&T are offering free or reduced-cost internet access for students and low-income families. Learn more
- California utilities suspend customer shut-offs Links to an external site. due to non-payment
- Check out this national guide created by the Hope Center on Supporting Students during COVID-19 Links to an external site.
- Learn about your eligibility to apply for CalFresh benefits (Spanish) Links to an external site.
- UndocuScholars created an extensive list of nationwide resources Links to an external site. for undocumented Communities facing COVID-19
General
- Legal Aid at Work provides clarity about Undocumented Workers’ Employment Rights Links to an external site., as well as a Coronavirus FAQs in English Links to an external site., Spanish Links to an external site.& Chinese Links to an external site.
- APALA has an infographic for employers with information on Protecting API Workers Links to an external site.
- California Labor Commissioner’s Office released FAQs on COVID-19 and Laws Enforced in English Links to an external site.and Spanish Links to an external site.
- County Office of Labor Standards Enforcement has an infographic detailing Covid-19 Impact on Workers Pay Links to an external site. (check your local CA county office)
- Relief Funds For Undocumented Workers In California Links to an external site. (available in English and Spanish)
Workers with DACA
CALIFORNIA
- The California Employment Development Department (EDD) is encouraging individuals with DACA and other employment authorizations who are affected by coronavirus layoffs to apply for unemployment benefits Links to an external site.. Workers don't have to be sick to qualify. Individuals who were laid off or had hours reduced due to coronavirus restrictions can also apply.
- Applying for unemployment benefits? Check out this step-by-Step application assistance created by the Jewish Family & Children-East Bay in English Links to an external site.or Spanish Links to an external site.
- A 2020 Recovery Rebate Tax Credit Links to an external site. will be available to all adults who have a valid Social Security number, are authorized to work, and are not claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return. Maximum amount is $1200 per qualifying adult and $500 per “qualifying child”.
MICHIGAN
- Michigan Immigrant Rights Center have information about DACA and Michigan Unemployment Insurance in English Links to an external site.and Spanish Links to an external site.
ILLINOIS
- Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights created an infographic Links to an external site.about DACA and unemployment insurance in Illinois
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Supporting Businesses & Freelancers
- Check out this guide to supporting artists, performers, and service industry folks Links to an external site. during Coronavirus
- US-based BIPOC artists can apply to the Arts & Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund Links to an external site.
- Check out this aggregated list of COVID-19 & Freelancer Resources Links to an external site. of free resources, opportunities, and financial relief options available to artists of all disciplines.
- Stay informed about the ways small businesses can prepare for the impact of COVID-19 on their business and community through the Small Business Majority Links to an external site.
- Find out how to support in-home care workers, nannies, and house cleaners during this crisis with these tools from the National Domestic Workers Alliance Links to an external site..
- Federal, state, and local agencies are working to find ways to help small businesses in this time of need. CAMEO Links to an external site. is gathering resources to inform small businesses about the support available to them.
Accessing Financial Capital
- To learn more about building credit and accessing financial capital for yourself and your business using an ITIN, read our Credit and Financial Capital Guide Links to an external site..
- Immigrants Rising’s KickStarter Grants Links to an external site. offers short-term, non-renewable grants.
- Inclusive Action for the City has created the Street Vendor Emergency Fund Links to an external site. for Los Angeles vendors who cannot access assistance from the government.
- Low-interest business loans ranging from $2,600 to $250,000 are available through Opportunity Fund Links to an external site..
- Mission Asset Fund Links to an external site. offers 0% interest for credit-building loans (up to $2,400) and loans to start or expand a business (up to $2,500) Immigrants nationally. They also provide loans to CA residents to pay for USCIS application fees.
- Find loans or local business assistance on Venturize Links to an external site..
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Housing
- Various cities in California and other states have issued rent moratoriums for a limited time to prevent residents from being evicted due to a loss of income related to a business closure, loss of hours or wages, layoffs, or out-of-pocket medical costs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- California: Statewide Links to an external site., Los Angeles Links to an external site., Oakland Links to an external site., San Francisco Links to an external site., San Jose Links to an external site.
- Other States: Indiana Links to an external site., Kansas Links to an external site., Michigan Links to an external site., New Jersey Links to an external site., New York Links to an external site.
- To determine whether your city or state has a rent moratorium, please check your city government website or this national listing Links to an external site. for updates.
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K-12 Resources
- Several K-12 school districts across California are offering free meals to students and their families including Butte Links to an external site., Coachella Valley Links to an external site., Jefferson en Español Links to an external site., Fresno Links to an external site., Los Angeles County Links to an external site., Marin Links to an external site., Merced Links to an external site., Monterey County Links to an external site., Oakland Links to an external site., Riverside Links to an external site., San Francisco Links to an external site., San Mateo & Santa Clara Links to an external site., Shasta Links to an external site., Stockton Links to an external site., and Links to an external site.Yuba City Links to an external site..
- Free computers are available for low income students through The On It Foundation Links to an external site. and Computers with Causes Links to an external site.
- Students from Harvard, MIT, UC Berkeley give free tutoring Links to an external site. to K-12 students. Visit https://gopeer.org/ Links to an external site. to learn more.
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Organizing & Action-Oriented
- United We Dream is asking folks to sign their petition to ensure care for all immigrants & suspend enforcement activities Links to an external site.
- Define American is compiling stories Links to an external site. of folks coming together to bolster community health and safety across America’s diverse cultural landscape.
- Medical professionals have written an Open Letter to ICE Links to an external site. urging the release of individuals in immigration detention given the risk of COVID-19.
- Detention Watch Network created an organizational sign on letter to ICE Links to an external site. calling for the release of all people and cessation of enforcement operations
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Federal Government Updates
- CLINIC is working with government agencies and partners to secure the most up-to-date information regarding agency status and responses to the COVID-19 crisis Links to an external site.
- United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will accept all benefit forms and documents with reproduced original signatures, including the Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, for submissions dated March 21, 2020, and after. Learn More Links to an external site.
- USCIS is suspending in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers from March 18 until May 3rd. However, USCIS staff will continue to perform duties that do not involve contact with the public. In the meantime, please call the USCIS Contact Center Links to an external site. for assistance with emergency immigration-related services.
- Effective March 18, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will seek to arrest only persons whom they believe are “public safety risks” and certain individuals with criminal backgrounds.For all others, ICE will exercise discretion to delay arrests until after the public health crisis diminishes or utilize alternatives. Review the change in policy about Immigration Enforcement and other ICE COVID-19 updates Links to an external site..
- The IRS deadline for filing federal taxes has been extended until July 15, 2020. For more information check here Links to an external site.. Individual state filing deadlines may vary.
- The Census Bureau has extended the deadline to complete the 2020 census Links to an external site. to August 14, 2020.
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Social Distancing
- Share this infographic with Guidelines on Social Distancing Links to an external site.
- Ariadne Labs talks about necessary steps to flatten the coronavirus curve in Social Distancing: This is Not a Snow Day Links to an external site..
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Up-To-Date Tracking of COVID-19 Cases Worldwide
- Coronavirus Dashboard Links to an external site. tracks the numbers of cases including deaths and recovery rates both locally and globally, as well as provides an interactive map.
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Why Fighting the Coronavirus Depends On You
Links to an external site.
is a video created by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), which highlights how slowing down the spread of the virus could save hundreds of thousands of lives.
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Other Resources for Immigrant Communities
- Get an update from NILC Links to an external site.on access to healthcare for immigrants and their families
- Learn about Central Valley COVID-19 information and Resources for Immigrant Communities Links to an external site. created by the CA Rural Legal Foundation
- Check out the Multilingual list (AANHPI) Links to an external site. of resources for ALL immigrants by Asian & Pacific Islander Health Forum
- Informed Immigrant set up a DACA Renewal Clinic Database Links to an external site. that tracks organizations across the U.S. offering DACA renewal assistance services.
- CIPC has compiled a guide for immigrant communities in California Links to an external site. including information for those who are undocumented and uninsured.
We would like to thank the California Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance (CIYJA) and the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration for providing resources for this document. CIYJA has released their own document: COVID-19 Resources for Undocumented Californians Links to an external site..
ABOUT US
Immigrants Rising helps you make decisions based on your potential, not your perceived limits. Visit our website so you can see what’s possible: www.immigrantsrising.org Links to an external site.. For inquiries regarding this resource, please contact Nancy Jodaitis at nancy@immigrantsrising.org.