by Lilly Fowler
Undocumented workers who lost income because of the coronavirus pandemic, but were passed over for federal assistance, will finally be getting some help in Washington state, thanks to a new $40 million relief fund.
Gov. Jay Inlsee is setting up the new financial assistance program with cooperation from a broad coalition of immigrant rights organizations, including OneAmerica, the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network and the Washington Dream Coalition.
“We contribute to a system that we are not benefiting from. We deserve support. We are also on the front lines of this pandemic,” said Maria, an immigrant-rights leader and undocumented housekeeper from the Tri-Cities who asked that only her first name be used.
To qualify for the assistance, undocumented workers must have lost income because of the pandemic and not have access to federal assistance, such as extra unemployment insurance or stimulus checks.
