New Jersey approved the payment of financial aid to illegal immigrants

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has announced the creation of a $ 40 million fund to pay illegal immigrants. Payments from it will also be made to other workers in the state who, for one reason or another, were excluded from federal financial assistance programs during the pandemic. Пdetails told the edition NJ.com.

New Jersey residents who have been excluded from financial assistance programs (extended or regular unemployment benefits, coronavirus financial assistance payments) will be eligible to receive money from the new fund, regardless of their immigration status or whether they are filing a tax return.

People who prove they have been deprived of assistance and affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can qualify for a lump sum payment of $ 1000, with the maximum amount for a family being $ 2000. The annual income threshold beyond which assistance is not eligible is $ 55.

The governor's office expects that this assistance will be able to receive from 20 to 000 residents of the state. True, it is unclear when the distribution of funds will begin.

On the subject: Illegal disclosure became a felony in New York

None of New Jersey's 460 illegal immigrants were eligible for most forms of financial assistance due to the pandemic. At the same time, illegal immigrants are often the main workers at increased risk during a pandemic - janitors, cooks and couriers.

The money for the fund was taken from the federal coronavirus aid to the state, paid back under Donald Trump. Depending on the conditions under which the assistance received under Biden for the state is received, a second round of such payments to illegal immigrants is possible.

These funds were accepted in a package totaling over $ 230 million. The money from it will also go to support small businesses and non-profit organizations.

“COVID-19 has created unimaginable problems for our economy over the past year,” Murphy said. “As we emerge from this pandemic, we need to make targeted investments in both our small business and our workforce to lay the foundation for a stronger and more equitable future.”

Illegal workers have contributed more than $ 600 million in local taxes and over $ 1 billion to the state's unemployment fund over the past decade, according to a study by Make the Road.

The New Jersey Foundation is made up of federal money, unlike New York and California, which have been able to allocate much more generous amounts from state budgets to illegal immigrants. For example, in New York illegal immigrants will be able to receive payments up to 15 600 dollars.