As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic deepens on our communities, the immigrant youth of United We Dream are adding direct financial assistance as the next phase of our comprehensive response plan.
100 percent of funds donated to the NationalUndocuFund will go directly to immigrants who need help.
Over 300 people have already applied for the NationalUndocuFund and we are no longer accepting applications. If we are able to raise more funds, we will be able to help more people.
We know these are tough times for everyone. Below please find some resources that you may find helpful:
Resource lists
- Healthcare access for Undocumented Folks in the Time of COVID19
- Resource List for Undocumented People––with general, state-by-state, and industry-specific links
- Tangible Support for Undocumented Communities During COVID-19 by Immigrants Rising
- Collective Care Is Our Best Weapon against COVID-19
National Relief Funds
- Corona Care Fund from National Domestic Workers AllianceÂ
- Betancourt Macias Family Foundation
- One Fair Wage Emergency Fund — for restaurant workers, car service drivers, delivery workers, personal service workers and more
- Restaurant Workers Community Foundation Emergency Fund for Restaurant Workers
- Professional Beauty Association Fund
State Specific Relief Funds
- NYC: Emergency Funds for Undocumented Youth and Families
- WAS State: COVID-19 Relief Fund for WA Undocumented Folks.
- Sonoma County, CA : UndocuFund.org Disaster Relief
- Norcalresist.org – Sacramento, Yolo, and Placer counties (CA)Â
- DC Area COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund (DC area families – food security, medical needs, housing needs)
- Mass Undocu Fund
As immigrant youth ourselves, we know that this is a very hard time for all of us and we know that we are stronger together as a community. It is not right that undocumented people were left out of help from the government and together we can win changes to protect all of us.
United We Dream’s NationalUndocuFund
The NationalUndocuFund will provide need-based financial help to immigrant families hard hit by the COVID-19 emergency. Our goal is to raise $120,000 to provide 300 households with $400 each. If we are able to raise more money, we will be able to help more people.
This boost will provide folks with money for groceries and other basic needs as they struggle through these challenging times.
Why the NationalUndocuFund is Needed Now
United We Dream built the NationalUndocuFund because of extraordinary need in immigrant communities and the callous disregard shown to undocumented people by elected officials. The Fund is a part of United We Dream’s comprehensive COVID-19 response program.
If only one undocumented taxpayer lives in a home, Congress has barred the entire household from receiving stimulus assistance. And at the state level most states have not expanded health care access, testing, and unemployment support to undocumented families.
Our members, their parents and families are fearful of accessing health care and are without jobs and the ability to pay for basic necessities and food. And our communities are feeling the brunt of COVID-19 infections and death because of gross inequities.
As we fight for long term solutions, we must provide some short term relief now.
What NationalUndocuFund Donations Are Used For
100% of money raised for the NationalUndocuFund will be given out to immigrants and their families.
Application Criteria
The United We Dream NationalUndocuFund is designed to give qualifying immigrant families a much needed financial boost.
To be eligible for the Fund, households must meet BOTH criteria 1 AND 2 as well as ANY ONE of criteria A, B, C, or D. Note, to meet legal guidelines, an individual is not qualified for assistance if they are a UWD officer, staff member, contractor, substantial contributor or a member of such an individual’s family or household. Family member includes a parent; a spouse; siblings and their spouses; children and grandchildren and their spouses.
MUST MEET BOTH OF THESE:
1) Individuals and/or households that are not eligible for unemployment insurance.
2) Individuals and/or households who have not received a stimulus check or other income replacement payment from the Federal government or state governments.
AND AT LEAST ONE OF THESE:
A) Individuals and/or households with income earners who have recently (since March 1st, 2020) lost their job due to the COVID-19 emergency, had their income cut by at least 50% from work or student aid, or cannot work (e.g. person living with disability, medical condition, sexworker, unpaid domestic worker, etc.) and are in financial need to meet necessary expenses.
B) Individuals and/or households with income earners who have a parent, guardian or income earner who recently (since March 1st, 2020) lost their job due to the COVID-19 emergency, had their income cut by at least 50% from work or student aid, or cannot work, which then affects the household’s ability to meet necessary expenses.
C) Individuals and/or households with income earners who have recently (since March 1st, 2020) due to the COVID-19 emergency had the food security of the household cut by 50% or more through the loss of meals provided by school/college programs, senior citizen programs or other programs which are now closed.
D) Individuals and/or households with income earners who have recently (since March 1st, 2020) due to the COVID-19 emergency had housing support ended through the closure of campus housing, shelters or other housing facilities, or who have recently been released from a detention center or prison.
When to Apply for Help:
Online applications are closed. Over 300 people have applied for help and we are currently reviewing applications.
Selection Process:
Selection of qualified applicants will occur on a first come first served basis. A selection committee of immigrant youth and United We Dream leaders will check to be sure application criteria are met.
How People Will Receive the Help:
Once selections are made, cards in the amount of $400 will be mailed to household addresses on the application form.
What Else is United We Dream Doing on COVID-19:
For the past month and a half, our teams have been engaged in Phase One of our COVID-19 response plan.
We have created content and launched programs to address the physical and mental health needs as well as financial and safety concerns of our communities with over 15 different resources (with more coming each week) and we are creating spaces for action, healing and joy for our online community which reaches more than 5 million people every month.
United We Dream leaders are also fighting to protect immigrants and organizing to win. To protect people from COVID-19, our teams have already temporarily shut down ICE check in facilities in Florida, have stopped billions from going to ICE and CBP in the stimulus bill and we are now fighting to get immigrants released from detention camps.
We thank all people who are fighting for justice through this pandemic! We know that we can build an abundant future for all people because we are united and determined to win.
