Washington state creates COVID-19 relief funds for these two vulnerable groups
Washington state created two funds to support immigrants and food production workers impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
Gov. Jay Inslee announced the funds in a Tuesday, Aug. 11, news release. The larger fund, the Immigrant Relief Fund provides $40 million to residents denied access to federal stimulus programs because of their immigration status. The smaller, Food Production Paid Leave Program, provides $3 million for food production workers that need time off due to illness.
A coalition representing 430 immigrant rights and social service organizations developed the funds in collaboration with Inslee’s staff, the release read.
“COVID-19 doesn’t care what your immigration status is,” Inslee said in the release. “We must support every family affected by the virus, especially those who lack the necessary means to quarantine or isolate and prevent further spread. This is the right thing for the well-being of individuals, the health of their colleagues and the safety of our communities.”
The announcement comes as essential workers and immigrant communities, particularly among the Hispanic population, are being disproportionately impacted by the crisis. In Washington, Hispanics make up 43% of confirmed COVID-19 cases where race and ethnicity are available despite making up 13% of the population, according to state health department data.
The Immigrant Relief fund will be disbursed in the fall, the release read. The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services plans to partner with community organizations to manage applications and distribute $1,000 for each eligible individual.
A coalition of immigrant rights groups developed the relief fund to recognize the dignity of undocumented community members and help them through a challenging time said Rich Stolz, executive director of immigrant rights group OneAmerica.
“Immigrant community members are facing some of the worst outcomes of this pandemic and have been systematically excluded from a social safety net for too long,” Stolz said.
Inslee has so far directed the procurement of over $1 million worth of hand sanitizer and 700,000 cloth face masks for agriculture workers, the release added. Despite such efforts, a July 25 state report found the agriculture and food packaging industry led the state in the number of outbreaks for non-health care settings.
“Immigrant workers are critical to communities throughout the state and are the backbone of our economy,” Inslee said in the release. “While some have been hit by the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, others face safety risks as frontline workers. And even though immigrants in the United States pay billions of dollars in taxes, they do not receive the same support when a crisis occurs.”
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