We Are #AllInThisTogether
The COVID-19 crisis has had a devastating impact on our community’s health and financial stability. In the Houston region, where 1 in every 4 people was born in another country, more than 500,000 are undocumented, and 32% of children have at least one non-citizen parent, the impact on our immigrant community is particularly acute.
Below, you will find a list of funds that are providing direct financial assistance to Houston area undocumented and immigrant neighbors. Please donate directly and share widely with your networks! We are #AllInThisTogether.
Please help share this campaign with the following hashtags:
#AllInThisTogether
#SupportUndocumenedTaxpayers
#SupportUndocumentedWorkers
#CheckInOnYourNeighbor
#ShareYourStimulus
Immigrants are being largely left out of the federal aid package meant to keep families afloat during this uncertain time when many have lost jobs. Despite the fact that immigrants are taxpayers, are on the frontlines of helping fight COVID-19, and are a critical part of the American workforce, immigrants have been left out of the CARES Act in three major ways: testing and care, cash rebates, and unemployment insurance.
Federal funding for testing and treatment uses Medicaid to provide free testing to the uninsured. However, it did not alter the Medicaid eligibility requirement for immigrants. This means that undocumented immigrants, those with some status (like DACA or temporary protected status (TPS)), and even lawful permanent residents (“green card” holders) who have been in the U.S. less than five years will not have access to this help. There may be local funds available to provide testing and treatment
In order for a household to receive a cash rebate, every child and adult in the household must have a Social Security number (SSN) valid for employment, with the exception of members of armed services. This means that mixed-status households will not receive assistance unless the person with an SSN files independently. Furthermore, undocumented immigrants who have been paying taxes with an ITIN number will not receive any cash assistance.
Unemployment Insurance will only be given to individuals who have work-authorization both during the time they claim unemployment, and at the time they file the claim. Many immigrant workers are awaiting a decision on their immigration benefits, yet USCIS offices are currently closed. Others are at risk losing that status, such as DACA recipients who await a Supreme Court decision. Undocumented immigrants do not have work-authorization and are thus ineligible.
The public assistance programs that many Americans rely on when times get tough are largely unavailable to many immigrants. Immigrants are also being pushed out of basic assistance programs through recent changes to “public charge” regulations, which essentially punish families for being poor, and further increase the systemic disparities that put historically vulnerable communities at greater risk. These policies have been even more disastrous in light of COVID-19.
We recognize that everyone in our community is hurting right now and that you may not be in a position to donate at all. If you are eligible for a federal stimulus check or your income is stable and above the qualifying threshold, we encourage you to share your resources with folks who are left out of the federal packages entirely. We also encourage you to share this page with anyone looking to support Houston’s immigrants during this time.
Below, you will find a list of funds that are providing direct financial assistance to Houston area undocumented and immigrant neighbors. Please donate directly and share widely with your networks! We are #allinthistogether.
BLACK LGBTQIA+ MIGRANT PROJECT
CLIENT EMERGENCY FUND
Basic needs assistance for Black LGBTQIA+ migrants facing desperate circumstances stemming from losing income, food and housing insecurities, lack of access to sanitary supplies, testing and healthcare. We are prioritizing community members who are undocumented or under-documented, in detention, trans and nonbinary, living with illnesses, disabilities and/or compromised immune systems, HIV+, and/or poor/working class.
DAYA
CLIENT ASSISTANT FUND
To support South Asian survivors of domestic violence, regardless of immigration status for emergency accommodation, food, legal funds, housing, and other basic needs.
FE Y JUSTICIA WORKER CENTER
EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUND
Providing basic needs such as food and clothing, personal protective equipment, transportation vouchers and hygiene items to undocumented and mixed status families.
LA UNIDAD 11
MEMBER ASSISTANCE
Direct financial assistance for La Unidad 11 members, who are undocumented and mixed status families in the Houston region. Funding supports paying bills, internet access, and providing gift cards for basic needs.
LIVING HOPE WHEELCHAIR ASSOC.
MEMBER ASSISTANCE
Direct financial assistance for Living Hope Wheelchair Association members, who are immigrants with disabilities, to support healthcare and basic needs.
MEMORIAL ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES
COVID-19 RELIEF FUND
Rental and utility assistance for anyone regardless of immigration status, focusing on the Spring Branch area.
TAHIRIH JUSTICE CENTER
CLIENT ASSISTANCE FUND
Direct assistance to Tahirih’s clients, who are immigrant individuals who are survivors of domestic and sexual violence living in the United States.
How to Donate: Click “direct my gift to” and select Houston Office. In additional Comments, write in “Client Assistance Fund”.
WORKERS DEFENSE PROJECT
UNDOCU WORKER EMERGENCY FUND
To provide mutual aid and direct financial assistance for the well-being of undocumented workers in Texas. Low-income working people families experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 economic and health crisis, who are ineligible for unemployment benefits or federal stimulus who live in the Houston, Dallas/ Fort Worth, and Austin metro areas are welcome to apply. The fund is not limited to WDP members. Funding will be disbursed in $250 checks to support basic needs.
ORGANIZACION LATINA TRANS IN TEXAS
HOUSTON CRISIS LGBTQI COVID-19
OLIVE BRANCH – MUSLIM FAMILY SERVICES
COVID-19 ACTION FUND
Assist community members with financial burdens (excluding medical bills) associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
