Editor’s note: When it comes to immigration — illegal or otherwise — the American people have a right to be concerned. Each week, Liberty Nation author Kelli Ballard examines a contentious issue related to today’s hottest topic.
Illegal aliens have a right to Coronavirus relief money, too?
Last week, millions of Americans began receiving stimulus relief checks issued by the federal government and deposited into their accounts. For those who have not been seriously financially affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, the money was a boon they could use to catch up on bills. For others, the $1,200 check might not even cover a month of debt, especially if they live in high-rent areas, but it will ease some of the burden. But what about illegal immigrants who continue to farm the land, work in the food industry, or other areas of “essential” employment? California’s governor has decided that they, too, should benefit from some financial ease and has set aside $75 million to disburse to illegal immigrant families throughout the Golden State.
“We feel a deep sense of gratitude for people who are in fear of deportations but are still addressing essential needs of tens of millions of Californians,” the state’s governor, Gavin Newsom (D), said. “This is a state that steps up always to support those in need, regardless of status.”
Newsom’s plan is to give about 150,000 adults $500 each, which is to be distributed by nonprofit groups that work with illegal immigrants. He suggested that those who need help would not likely contact the government for fear of being sent back to their home countries.
The Disaster Relief Fund, as it’s called, will be paid for by California taxpayers, and the governor has tasked a group of charities to raise another $50 million from private donors, in the hopes of being able to offer benefits to another 100,000 recipients. Organizers began campaigning a few days ago and have already raised $6 million, with contributions from such well-knowns as Blue Shield of California Foundation and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
The Golden State has approximately 2.2 million illegal immigrants, more than any other state in the nation, according to the Pew Research Center. In 1994, Californians voted for Proposition 187, which denied non-emergency health care, schooling, and other public services to undocumented aliens, but a judge ruled it as unconstitutional. Today, the tide has shifted, and Dems are eager to grant them all rights previously reserved for citizens.
The Los Angeles Times tried to demonstrate that Californians approve of illegal immigrants by citing a survey from the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). The poll asked whether residents considered immigrants to be a benefit or a burden to the state. The results showed that overall 66% found them a benefit while only 28% regarded them as a burden; 58% of Republicans considered them a burden. The problem with this poll is that the interviewers did not specify whether the immigrants were here illegally or not.
Last year, California’s aggressive progressive agenda made it the first state to give health benefits, funded by taxpayers, of course, to low-income illegal aliens 25 years and younger. This year, the governor plans to expand those benefits to reach adults 65 years and older.
Newsom’s efforts to combat the Coronavirus have added up to more than $2 billion in just over a month, and the state’s Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove said the governor should concentrate on spending that money elsewhere, such as food banks and equipment for students to continue online learning, rather than people here illegally. “Instead of meeting these urgent needs, Governor Newsom has chosen to irresponsibly pursue a left-wing path and unilaterally secured $125 million for undocumented immigrants,” she said.
Approximately 2.7 million residents of the Golden State have filed for unemployment benefits since mid-March. This is more than half of all the claims processed in 2019. Add to this the challenge of the state’s overwhelming homeless population. With the COVID-19 economy, businesses closing their doors, millions unemployed or laid off, is it really a good idea to spend so much money on those who shouldn’t be in the country in the first place?
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Read more from Kelli Ballard.
For home study students and young people, Liberty Nation recommends…
All About Immigration
High School: The Story of Immigration and America
Middle School: The Story of Immigration and America
Elementary School: The Story of Immigration and America
All About Coronavirus
High School: The Spread of Coronavirus: How it Works
Middle School: A Scientific Look at COVID-19
Elementary School: Coronavirus: The Science
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