New Research, Resources & AAPI Webinar

Dear Allies,

Yesterday marked the solemn one year mark of the murder of George Floyd. As we reflect on the past year, we renew our commitment and stand in solidarity against white supremacy in all of its violent and pervasive forms. It is only together that we can push onwards towards our collective liberation. 

This week, we are sharing information about an upcoming webinar on community organizing from NILC to close out AAPI Heritage Month, as well as new research from the Urban Institute, a new FAQ from CLASP, and a sign-on letter from First Focus.

Today, the Urban Institute published two new research briefs on the health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigrant families as well as on  the chilling effects experienced by immigrant families during pandemic. Among the research findings, the Urban Institute reports that approximately 3 in 10 low-income immigrant families with children reported that they or a family member avoided one or more public benefits because of concerns with green card status or other imigration-related concerns. Links to both reports are below:

• Many Immigrant Families with Children Continued to Avoid Public Benefits in 2020, Despite Facing Hardships

• Adults in Low-Income Immigrant Families Were Deeply Affected by the COVID-19 Crisis yet Avoided Safety Net Programs in 2020

The American Rescue Plan temporarily expanded the Child Tax Credit (CTC) available to families with children. This FAQ from CLASP provides information for mixed immigration-status families on the CTC eligibility criteria and how families can get the benefit in both English and Spanish.

In honor and appreciation of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, NILC is hosting a webinar that will celebrate the work of state and local AAPI organizations and activists who are empowering their communities. Movement leaders from across the country will join us to share more about their communities and the work they are leading on the ground, including legislative advocacy, community education and engagement efforts, and organizing and mobilization strategies in the wake of heightened anti-AAPI violence. Join the conversation tomorrow, May 27 from 2-3pm ET / 11am-12pm PT. Register Here.

First Focus Campaign for Children and other leading stakeholders are circulating a sign-on letter to congressional leaders urging Congress to make the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) permanent. National, state and local organizations are invited to sign on. The letter can be found here. TO SIGN ON: Use this form to add your organization’s name, location, and state to the letter. The deadline for signing is Friday, May 28th. 

• New York Times – On the recent KFF poll finding that 1/3 of unvaccinated immigrants cited public charge-related concerns.
• News-Medical – Boston researchers find that public charge contributed to a disproportionate spike in heart-related deaths among folks of color during COVID-19 because they were deterred from seeking needed care.
• Washington Monthly – RAND hunger expert says barriers like public charge drove racial hunger disparities during the pandemic, and removing them is key to improving equity.

In Solidarity,

Eddie Carmona & Renato Rocha, on behalf of the PIF Team

Visit us at https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/