[SEED sign-on letter] Take Action to Support Undocumented Immigrants in Econ Recovery
BETTY HUNG
We are planning to submit an updated version of an April 3 letter signed by 116 organizations that was sent to Governor Newsom’s office in support of the SEED Initiative. A copy of the letter can be viewed at: tinyurl.com/SEEDLetter
With the COVID-19 crisis and the exclusion of undocumented immigrants in the federal relief bill, and with DACA and TPS hanging by a thread, it is imperative that undocumented immigrants in California have access to immediate relief and that undocumented immigrants be included in the state's economic relief and recovery efforts.
Please consider signing on to this organizational letter to Governor Newsom urging him to ensure that undocumented immigrants are part of upcoming economic recovery efforts by preserving the SEED Initiative.
In the Governor's proposed budget released in January, $10 million was allocated for the SEED Initiative, which would provide micro grants and culturally and linguistically effective training and support for immigrants -- especially those who are undocumented and Limited English Proficient (LEP). The purpose is to provide immigrants, including those who lack work authorization or are at risk of losing their work authorization (e.g., DACA, TPS), with support to start (or re-start) socially responsible, high road businesses and worker cooperatives as a way to uphold the basic human right to work and make a living. These funds would be distributed by the UCLA Labor Center to community based and labor organizations to provide these services.
Given the impact of COVID-19 on the state budget, we are trying to ensure that the SEED Initiative is preserved, especially since it will be a critical way for undocumented immigrants to be part of the state's economic recovery efforts.
The letter we are planning to resubmit to the Governor’s office will include the original text of the April 3 letter, additional organizational signatories, and stories of community members who would benefit from the SEED Initiative. To see the list of signatories as of April 30, please use this link.
The sign on collection form will be open until Thursday, May 7 at 12 PM.
If you have any questions, please contact Anthony Ng at an...@ucla.edu.
In solidarity,
Betty
--
Betty Hung, Esq.
Staff Director
(pronouns: she/her/hers)
UCLA Labor Center
Institute for Research on Labor and Employment
bett...@ucla.edu| (323) 359-1187 (cell)
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