Did You Know...?
- In the U.S. immigrants account for more than 50% of workers in cleaning, landscaping, personal appearance, and graders/sorters of agricultural products—each of these sectors is low-paying and does not typically provide health insurance or paid sick leave.
- In Canada, 35% of immigrant workers are in accommodation and food services. These sectors tend to be low-paying, and in the U.S. do not typically provide health insurance or paid sick leave
- Immigrant children tend to achieve education levels equal to or exceeding that of their native-born peers, despite a language barrier that often inhibits their parents from helping with their homework.
- In the U.S., asylum-seekers are imprisoned (detained) or returned to dangerous territories in Mexico to live in makeshift camps while they await their court hearing. These overcrowded and unsanitary detention centers and camps are hotbeds for infectious diseases and have limited medical resources available in the inevitable event of a Covid-19 outbreak.
- Both Canada and the U.S. have restricted the right to seek asylum during the coronovirus pandemic, despite the dubious effects of shutting down borders..
- Many immigrants are afraid to visit foodbanks because of the Trump Administration’s policy that anyone who uses government aid or is deemed likely to become a “public charge” will not be able to seek U.S. citizenship.
- The Supreme Court is scheduled to rule on DACA in June. Hundreds of thousands of immigrants and their families are waiting to hear their fate while dealing with this health crisis.
10 Things You Can Do to Help Immigrants RIGHT NOW
- Contact immigrants you know and check on their needs.*
- In the U.S. share Spanish resources from the CDC website.
- Order local take-out, purchase restaurant gift cards, or buy fast food. Help to keep immigrant workers employed.
- Make yourself available to immigrant neighbors for homework help or tutoring—over the phone or by Zoom.
- If you hire an immigrant to clean your home or do yard work for you, continue to pay them even if you are not using their services temporarily due to social distancing.
- Or Donate to the National Domestic Workers Alliance’s Coronavirus Care Fund today!
- Start a virtual food drive: Go to your local food bank and fill a virtual box. When you are done, share the link with friends.
- Join or start a Neighborhood Quarantine Response Team to offer your services, such as buying groceries for neighbors in need.
- In the U.S. as the federal government provides critical aid to American workers, continue to encourage support for low-paid workers who are not Americans, including those who might be undocumented. They, too, have families and children who need food—and they often do pay taxes.
- In the U.S. advocate for safe conditions and healthcare for migrants and asylum-seekers in detention centers to protect them during this pandemic. Or better yet, urge Congress to adopt alternatives to detention and avoid this public health risk altogether.
- Tell the Supreme Court to do the right thing — Delay ruling on DACA during a global health crisis!
*Remember: Never offer legal advice or advice on dealing with government agencies. You may unintentionally put your friend at risk. If an undocumented immigrant asks you a questions about receiving unemployment, refer them to their lawyer or immigration support like Catholic Charities.
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