John, 

We’ve all heard it time and again—we’re living through unprecedented and unpredictable times. One thing that is certain, though, is that immigrants have been absolutely vital to our country’s pandemic response. 51% of New York’s essential workers are immigrants—cleaning and sanitizing factories and offices, taking care of the elderly and very young, and picking the produce on our grocery shelves. Without them on the frontlines, we wouldn’t even have a shot at flattening the curve.

Yet, despite our contributions, nearly 23 million people living in the U.S. have been excluded from COVID-19 relief packages because of Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda. And that figure doesn’t even begin to capture the millions of American citizens in mixed-status families who have been disqualified from COVID aid—simply because their parents, husbands, and wives have a different immigration status. 

So we’re demanding that our elected officials guarantee immigrants get the relief they need in the next COVID-19 package, to assure New York’s ability to survive this pandemic. Help us by signing and sharing our petition today!

It’s become clear during this pandemic that our well-being as individuals, as community-members and as a nation is inextricably linked to the well-being of our neighbors. This means guaranteeing that every New Yorker can access healthcare, regardless of their status. It means creating a permanent solution for DACA and TPS recipients. It means extending unemployment benefits to all of our workers. And it means fostering a country where the contributions of immigrants are recognized, valued, and rewarded. 

New Yorkers need real solutions that help each of us to weather these trying times and policies that transform our system so it’s fair and effective for everyone. And only when we fight together, can we forge a new future in which ALL New Yorkers can thrive.

Thanks for fighting with us.

In power, 


Steve Choi 
Executive Director