Editor’s note: This commentary is a letter sent by the Women’s Legislative Caucus to fellow legislators. Members’ names are listed below.
To: All House & Senate Chairs and Legislative Colleagues
We, the undersigned members of the Women’s Legislative Caucus, support the creation of a Coronavirus Relief Fund for immigrant and undocumented workers and their families in Vermont.
As our state responds in the face of an unprecedented public health crisis, it is important that our legislative actions and policymaking are guided by justice, equity and fairness – and that all Vermonters have access to relief from the state and federal government.
Our caucus works closely with the Vermont Commission on Women to address issues that impact the economic security of Vermont families, and we represent a range of political perspectives.
It is deeply unfair that in issuing “Economic Impact Payments” or stimulus checks to millions of Americans, the federal government has excluded migrant and immigrant families without Social Security numbers. This exclusion is particularly cruel as it comes at a time when the government is designating many of these workers as “essential,” recognizing their integral role in the economic well-being of our society. In fact, these workers contribute payroll taxes that they will never be able to benefit from.
The Women’s Legislative Caucus strongly believes that all workers in Vermont – regardless of immigration status – should be treated with dignity and fairness. We call on the State of Vermont to step up where the federal government has failed and create a fund to issue payments to all undocumented families excluded from federal Covid-19 relief due to their immigration status. This would include all Vermont residents who lack Social Security numbers, their spouses and children.
The payments should be made at parity with the amount disbursed through the federal Economic Impact Payments: $1,200 per eligible adult and $500 per eligible child. Estimating that the program would cover 3,500-4,000 adults and 750-1,000 children, the fund would have an approximate cost of $5 million.
This proposal has been developed by immigrant workers affiliated with Migrant Justice. It has received support from the Legislature’s Social Equity Caucus, the Working Vermonters’ Caucus, the Vermont Human Rights Commission, and numerous community organizations and labor unions. We are proud to add our names to this list of supporters.
Vermont has a historic opportunity to make a clear statement of values by implementing this fund; in a moment of crisis, let us act clearly and decisively to ensure that no one is left behind.
Sen. Becca Balint
Rep. Jessica Brumsted
Rep. Mollie S. Burke, chair
Rep. Brian Cina
Sen. Alison Clarkson
Rep. Sara Coffey
Rep. Selene Colburn
Rep. Mari Cordes
Rep. Kari Dolan
Rep. Caleb Elder
Rep. Diana Gonzalez
Rep. Ann Pugh
Rep. Sandy Haas
Sen. Cheryl Hooker
Rep. Mary Howard
Rep. Lori Houghton
Rep. Stephanie Jerome
Rep. John Killacky
Rep. Emilie Kornheiser
Rep. Carol Ode
Rep. Jean O’Sullivan, chair
Rep. Barbara Rachelson
Rep. Zachariah Ralph
Rep. Marybeth Redmond
Rep. Robin Scheu
Rep. Amy Sheldon
Rep. Mary Sullivan
Rep. Kelly Tully
Rep. Rebecca White
Rep. Theresa Wood
