John, 

As COVID-19 cases continue to soar and millions across the country struggle to find work, Congress is preparing to pass another stimulus package. But in the past four packages, Congress failed immigrants. They left over 16 million families without support in the midst of the worst public health and economic crisis of our lifetime—including over 2.1 million New Yorkers who didn’t get a single cent.

Here in New York, hundreds of thousands of families are struggling to make ends meet without economic support. When Congress—and Senate Minority Leader Chuck  Schumer—agreed to pass the past four stimulus packages, they did it at the expense of the immigrants hit hardest by the pandemic. 

New data released in partnership with Change Research reveals that over half of New Yorkers support sending a COVID stimulus check to undocumented immigrants. The poll, conducted June 15-18, also reveals that 77% of New York voters support relief payments for families who make less than $99,000, and that 64% believe that Congress has not done enough to help working Americans and small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We’ve seen immigrants make immense sacrifices, working on the frontlines to keep New Yorkers to ensure the safety, health and well-being of every single one of us. We’ve also seen our immigrants across the state struggle with unemployment and food insecurity—in New York City alone, over half of working class immigrants lost their jobs—and with disproportionately high COVID infection and mortality rates. 

New Yorkers have spoken—they demand relief for ALL, regardless of status. Now, it’s time for Senator Schumer to use his power as Senate Minority Leader to right these wrongs and deliver by ensuring that millions of immigrants and their families are finally included in COVID relief.

In solidarity,


Steve Choi, 
Executive Director