| April 22, 2021 |
| California Families, Federal Exclusions & How the State Can Step in Now: Did you know undocumented and mixed status California families have been excluded from thousands of dollars in federal aid during the pandemic, even though they are deeply integrated into our communities, workplaces, and schools? Undocumented Californians are also shut out of most other supports, including the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and unemployment benefits. This leaves families with fewer resources to pay for food, rent, or other expenses State policymakers can step in now with support for undocumented Californians. California’s Golden State Stimulus replaced only a portion of the federal aid undocumented and mixed status families were denied. State leaders could provide much more support to these families using federal American Rescue Plan dollars designated for household economic relief, and help undocumented children, families, and communities.  Have a question about the labor market or EITC in California? Senior Policy Analyst Alissa Anderson tracks the California labor market, helps create policy to expand the California Earned Income Tax Credit, and focuses on policies that can eliminate poverty for children and undocumented Californians. Follow her and her work and reach out with questions. |
Author: Edie Lott
Bills to support right now in Food and Farming:
SB 464 (Hurtado) – Food for All – Would expand the CalFresh benefits available to undocumented immigrants in California (While these folks are not eligible for the federal SNAP program, California has funding through a parallel program to CalFresh that provides food assistance for people ineligible due to documentation status – this program needs further development, outreach, and funding to meet the needs of Californians. This bill is in committee process. (Long-term relief bill)
AB 221 (Santiago) – Emergency Food Assistance during COVID-19 to Undocumented Immigrants and their families. This bill was amended in the Assembly om March 30, 2021 (short term relief bill).
Quick facts to share: – These bills affect food, labor, agriculture, and public health organizations alike, i.e. our neighbors. Approximately 57% of farmworkers are unauthorized to work in the United States. Undocumented immigrant restaurant workers are 25 percent more likely to experience food insecurity. We know that farmers of color are undercounted and many undocumented. populations are currently ineligible for any food assistance beyond foodbanks. Access to our state food assistance program (SB 464) and immediate food dollars (AB 221) is a public health benefit.
Here is a link to a new Action Toolkit for Welcoming Migrants where you will find helpful links to additional information, organizations, and resources to engage in individual and group action, including:
- National and local organizations that work with asylum seekers and unaccompanied children
- Reflection and worship resources
- Action alerts and advocacy opportunities
- Background information on asylum and immigration policies
- Asylum sponsorship information
Together, we can continue to build awareness, pray for justice, connect with and support organizations engaged in this important ministry, and urge our public officials to humanely welcome children and families seeking asylum.
Important: Contact Diane Feinstein by phone or email and strongly urge her to support ending the filibuster! It the only way that meaningful legislation will be passed.
LOPP-CA is following several state bills. The most important are:
Housing: AB1199 creates a corporate landlord registry, AB15 Provides Covid relief eviction limitations
Healthcare: AB1400 Guaranteed Health Care for All AB1132 Health Care Consolidation and Contracting Fairness Act of 2021. Assembly-member Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa) introduced a package of bills to address health care affordability, access, equity, quality and cost containment. AB650 Would see health care workers receive up to $10,000 if they worked on the front lines during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Immigrant Justice: AB221 This bill would provide Emergency Food Benefits for immigrants adversely affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic and excluded from federal aid.
Ask your members of Congress to be an original co-sponsor of the EATS Act that will permanently rescind the college student SNAP rule.
- The deadline is tomorrow 3/11 to be an original co-sponsor.
- Members can sign on after tomorrow so please keep that drumbeat going in visits next week – this will be a priority bill. If you need any staff contacts please let me know.
- Already co-sponsors & do not need contact: Costa, Khanna, Lowenthal, Swalwell, Takano. 29 CA members co-sponsored in the last Congress.
- Reps. Gomez, Harder, and Panetta will reintroduce next week, so be ready to amplify on social media.
Deb Haaland’s confirmation to lead the Department of the Interior could be in jeopardy. If confirmed, Haaland would be the first Indigenous person to manage the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. Both are part of the Department of the Interior. She would also oversee more than 480 million acres of public lands and nearly a dozen federal agencies, including the National Park Service. Both California senators are collecting letters and emails of support for her. Please consider writing a letter of support.
Northern California Kelp Forests: An analysis of satellite imagery has found that the kelp forest that only eight years ago formed a leafy canopy along the Northern California coast has almost disappeared. This is a huge environmental concern. For articles with more information click on these links: USNEWS, CLICK THIS LINK to find out about the State of California Natural Resources Agency Kelp Forest Restoration Project in Mendocino County.