The U.S. Will Give Relief To Most But Not All

Source: Immigration Impact

Since March 11th, when the World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic, people around the world have been filled with anxiety and dread. Many people returned to their home countries to self-quarantine. Many governments have restricted travel and banned large gatherings.

The Immigration Impact reports that on March 27th, President Trump signed that the Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES). It is estimated that Americans who qualify could receive $1200 or more from the government during this pandemic.

Many are glad to be receiving aid from the government but not everyone is eligible for this relief. Among the people who won't receive relief checks are undocumented immigrants. New York Representative, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, took to Twitter to express her disapproval of the exclusion.

  

To clarify, $1200 checks are ONLY going to some w/social sec numbers, NOT immigrants w/ tax IDs (ITINs).

Thanks to GOP, these checks will be cut off the backs of *taxpaying immigrants,* who get nothing. Many are essential workers who pay more taxes than Amazon.

Wall St gets $4T

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 26, 2020

The disparity comes from the fact that only people with a social security number are able to receive a payment, this excludes people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

Even without a valid social security number, millions of immigrants pay taxes to the U.S. government with an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN). This allows the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to track people who pay taxes regardless of their immigration status.

Immigration Impact reports that families of mixed-status will suffer the most."Many mixed-status families will be disqualified from receiving payments from the government. They can be excluded even if the head of the household has status in the United States and is paying taxes."

I’ve seen a lot of questions and misinformation on this so let me clarify for all Americans:

1. YOUR STIMULUS CHECK IS NOT TAXABLE.
2. You don’t have to pay this money back.
3. It will not affect your refund in 2021

Source: @washingtonpost

— ✵Saint Nayvadius (@Brycematic) March 26, 2020

Regarding the stimulus package, the Washington Post published an insightful article that answers many of the questions Americans have about this process. With specific detail about eligibility to how you will receive payment. They've also added a calculator that can give an estimation of how much is to be expected in your payment according to your situation.

As non-essential businesses continue to shut down and workers being laid off, immigrant families are among the few groups that are being out in a vulnerable situation. Without a steady income or aid from the government, there aren't many resources readily available to the families in need. And for those depending on these checks to live it is predicted that the checks will be sent out in batches over the coming weeks.