An adjunct immigration professor in New York responded to my article titled, “NY state to give $15,600 payments to illegal immigrants.”
As you know, the Democrat-controlled NY legislature approved $2.1 billion in funds to provide $15,600 payments to undocumented workers who are in this country illegally.
Nearly 100,000 undocumented immigrants in New York are eligible for the $15,600 “first tier” payments.
An additional 200,000 undocumented immigrants will qualify for the second tier of the program that pays $3,200 per worker.
Rosemari Mealy JD, PhD made a strong argument that Americans should foot the bill for Covid relief payments to illegal immigrants.
Rosemari writes:
Greetings Ms. Rose:
As an adjunct professor who teaches Immigrant Rights and the Law at one of the CUNY colleges, I support this measure passed by the NY Assembly which provides COVID relief to NY’s Undocumented Workers from a set-aside-designated fund. The intent of those payments comprise a sense of respect and compassion for the lives of human beings i.e. “workers” who are faceless to most people, including, if you read closely, many of those who commented with such selfish hostility on your site. Yet, these same undocumented men, women and families of the undocumented play a key role in keeping the wheels of commerce rolling in NY and throughout the nation.
In addition to working in underpaid and often critical jobs, they provide care and support to sustain the comfort and life to many. Let us not forget that many of these workers, especially women are often entrapped in the employment of the wealthy who depend on them to ensure their luxury life styles while exploiting the labor of the undocumented immigrants.
Can you even Imagine trying to live in NY on 15,000 a year? If NY State lawmakers (Democrats) exhibited that level of humanity during COVID 19, by recognizing this emergency to extend a hand to that sector of our community, then they have my vote.
Also, on a more personal note, I know now that I will have in my class at least “One More Dreamer” whose parent may be Haitian, or from one of the African or Latinx nations and is the daughter or son of an undocumented worker. She /he /they will now be able to study and focus on their coursework and will not have to drop out during the semester as a result of once again being homeless.
I close again with the following question, Can you even Imagine trying to live in NY on 15,000 a year? While the payments stipulates up to $15 000, most will probably not qualify. However, any amount of the grant could make an important difference in the lives of so many of NY’s undocumented workers. The same worker(s) that we all have come to depend on.
Stay safe.
Peace.Sent from my iPhone
Rosemari Mealy JD, PhD
