55 Labor, Community and Faith Organizations Call on Governor Murphy, Legislature to Provide COVID Aid to Immigrants

“Creating a COVID relief program that provides income replacement to workers and their families who have been excluded from federal and other aid will help save lives and contribute to the public health of all New Jersey residents”, said Latino Action Network President Christian Estevez. “Immigrants want to help flatten the curve by staying home when possible but are forced to work in dangerous conditions to make ends meet. It is past due for us to provide financial relief to the most vulnerable members of our community.”

https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/55-labor-community-faith-organizations-call-governor-murphy-legislature-provide-covid-aid-immigrants/

August 17, 2020

Elizabeth, NJ – August 17, 2020: Urging New Jersey to take action to create a COVID relief fund for immigrant families and workers excluded from federal aid, fifty-five labor, community and faith-based organizations sent a letter today to Gov. Murphy and legislative leadership. In New Jersey, as many as 604,615 people, including 262,527 U.S. citizens who live with an immediate undocumented family member, have been left behind by aid under the CARES Act. Undocumented immigrants are also ineligible for unemployment insurance, pandemic unemployment insurance, SNAP and TANF. 

The organizations called on the Governor and the state legislature to create a COVID relief program that provides income replacement to workers and their families who have been excluded from federal and other aid, to include $600 weekly payments for excluded workers who have lost their jobs and stimulus-style payments to undocumented immigrants who pay taxes but were not permitted to obtain federal stimulus payments under the CARES Act. Pending legislation S2480/A4171 would provide one time payments to some undocumented tax filers in New Jersey. This legislation currently has bipartisan support in the state legislature and 17 co-sponsors in the Senate and nearly as many in the Assembly. Recently, the Star Ledger editorial board endorsed the legislation, calling it a “reasonable first step” to meet the vast need.

“I worked in a food processing plant through the quarantine until I started to get COVID-19 symptoms. Then I lost my job. I haven’t received a penny in aid. I’m a single mom of three kids who were born in the United States. I pay taxes every year. Every day I worry about how I will buy medicine, keep my kids fed and stay safe. I urge New Jersey to stand up for the half-million undocumented immigrants and our US citizen kids,” said Maria Perez, member of Make the Road New Jersey.

“We are one state with one future. The welfare of any New Jersey family affects the welfare of every New Jersey family. We support taking measures to ensure that every New Jersey child lives in a home with adequate resources so that they can learn, grow and thrive. Our students’ access and opportunities should not be limited by their parents‘ immigration status,” said Marie Blistan, President of the New Jersey Education Association.

“Creating a COVID relief program that provides income replacement to workers and their families who have been excluded from federal and other aid will help save lives and contribute to the public health of all New Jersey residents”, said Latino Action Network President Christian Estevez. “Immigrants want to help flatten the curve by staying home when possible, but are forced to work in dangerous conditions to make ends meet. It is past due for us to provide financial relief to the most vulnerable members of our community.”

“In caring for our communities, we come face to face with those forced to work in dangerous conditions or risk poverty; and the many more whose work was devastated and families sickened by COVID-19, with no relief even if they pay taxes, or have families with mostly U.S. citizens, who are all punished along with them. We see the hunger, the uncertainty, the threat of becoming homeless, the fight to not lose faith in the social systems and sheer human integrity we should be able to count on. The CARES Act left out millions, putting divisions between us while the disease knows no boundaries. The HEROES Act is stalled in the Senate, but growing desperation takes no pause. New Jersey’s political leadership has a chance to address this crisis, and a moral obligation to pass and sign S2480/A4171 into law. We believe they have the political will, good sense and empathy to do so too, and in this case hope that is something we can count on,” said Gloria E. Blanco, Wind of the Spirit.

Latino Action Network PAC Announces Congressional Endorsements; Senator Menendez Praised as Champion of Immigrant Rights

NEWARK: The Latino Action Network Continuing Political Committee (LAN-PAC) today released their 2018 Congressional endorsements after weeks of careful review and study. The endorsements were based in part on personal interviews and an analysis of the career and in some cases voting records of the candidates.

“We believe that we need to send a clear message to Donald Trump and elect Democrats to Congress,” said LAN President Christian Estevez. “Donald Trump has spent the last few years scapegoating Latinos and the immigrant community in general. Many of those running on the Republican side have done nothing to distance themselves from the President’s objectionable remarks and hatred.”

Estevez continued: “Trump’s hateful rhetoric, incarceration of immigrant children and demagogic appeals to build a border wall speak volumes about the GOP agenda. Anyone who stand with Trump does represent us.”

US Senate: Bob Menendez

During his career in Congress, Menendez has proven himself to be a champion of comprehensive immigration reform and a voice of reason in the US Senate. Several years ago, the Senator worked with LAN to insure affordable housing would be part of the Superstorm Sandy recovery plan. In stark contrast, his opponent is an unethical businessman, who as a pharmaceutical executive, was responsible for a steep cost increase in badly needed medicine. Now he wants to use his wealth to buy a U.S. Senate seat, all the while lying about his close ties to Trump.

District 1: Donald Norcross:

Congressman Norcross has shown himself to be a progressive champion of labor rights while in Congress. We are especially happy to see him advocate for a $15 an hour minimum wage.

District 2: No recommendation:

District 3: No recommendation:

District 4: No recommendation:

District 5: No recommendation:

We are very disappointed with Congressman Josh Gottheimer. Despite being elected as a Democrat, he has sided with the Republican majority far too often in his short time in Congress on key issues such as immigration and health care. His Republican opponent adheres to the same anti-immigrant principles as Donald Trump.  Therefore, we cannot recommend that anyone vote for either of these candidates.

District 6: Frank Pallone

Congressman Pallone has been a champion of expanding health care which has benefited countless Hispanic and working poor families in New Jersey and across the United States during his tenure in Congress and deserves to be sent back to continue his advocacy.

District 7: Tom Malinowski:

As an immigrant himself, Tom Malinowski understands the struggles that our community often goes through. Malinowski has shown himself to be a progressive and believes in causes such as the $15 an hour minimum wage.

District 8: Albio Sires:

Albio Sires is another champion of comprehensive immigration reform. We strongly endorse his re-election.

District 9: Bill Pascrell:

Congressman Pascrell is a consistent supporter of progressive issues and has used his senior position in Congress to benefit Latino and working poor communities.

District 10: Don Payne, Jr.:

Congressman Payne has called out the lack of progress rebuilding Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria and Trump’s poor response to it. For that, and his progressive stance on the issues, he deserves to be re-elected.

District 11: Mikie Sherrill

We believe Mikie Sherrill would be a welcome change over incumbent Rodney Frelinghuysen and her opponent Jay Webber. Sherill served with distinction in the U.S. Navy and has been superb as a lawyer in tackling criminal justice issues. She will bring new energy and a bipartisan approach to Congress.

District 12: Bonnie Watson Coleman

Bonnie Watson Coleman has been a staunch supporter of issues that are important to Latinos and the working poor living in New Jersey. She has been at the forefront in the fight to ensure Dreamers are guaranteed a pathway to citizenship. Furthermore, Congresswoman Watson Coleman has expressed her strong displeasure with the Trump administration’s policies regarding separating families at the Mexican border.

OP-ED: WHY WE NEED $15 AN HOUR MINIMUM WAGE IN NEW JERSEY NOW, NOT LATER

This op-ed by Daniel Ulloa, Vice President of Communication for LAN, originally appeared in NJ Spotlight.com.

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/18/08/06/op-ed-why-we-need-15-an-hour-minimum-wage-in-new-jersey-now-not-later/

As living costs continue to rise in this expensive state, people are working longer hours for less money just to get by.

We need a $15 an hour minimum wage. Too many people are struggling to make ends meet in New Jersey.

Between the costs of housing, child care, transportation, and healthcare more and more people are working longer hours for less money just to get by, much less thrive. And despite the state’s low unemployment, the fact that wages have remained stagnant makes poverty a pressing issue here.

New Jersey is one of the most expensive states in the country to live in. It was recently ranked among the top 10 most unequal state in the nation. Those who are wealthy can enjoy its benefits far more than struggling workers. And while some of those who are currently struggling can go on to achieve prosperity, they unfortunately are more often the exception to the rule. There is no reason thousands should be made to toil for slave wages simply because it’s possible to find a better job.

Raising the minimum wage is always a popular action. In 2013, when Gov. Chris Christie was re-elected, a ballot measure to increase the minimum wage slightly was approved as well, thus showing such a move has bipartisan support.

Some conservatives object because they feel it would be an onerous burden on companies to pay individuals so much money. But if their customers are also making more money, they’re likely to shop more.

$15 minimum would benefit 1.2M workers in NJ

Furthermore, higher wages mean employees won’t be as likely to leave blue-collar jobs — which in turn means businesses won’t have to spend as much time training new staff. In addition, a more satisfied staff is likely to lead to an increase in productivity.

For those who feel that blue-collar workers shouldn’t make the same money as white-collar workers, remember a rising tide lifts all boats.

According to New Jersey Policy Perspective, raising the minimum wage to $15 would raise wages for 1.2 million workers in the state and inject $4.5 billion into the state’s economy.

There has been some talk of watering down the minimum-wage bill to pay youth workers less than $15 an hour. Most are seen as teenagers from middle-classes families who take the jobs merely for spending money. But youth workers need that money. Contrary to the beliefs of some, they have no desire to be a burden but rather would like to contribute and ease their family expenses. This is especially true in the homes of Hispanic families where their paychecks often go in part to sustaining the family. Youth workers must not be treated as second-class citizens.

Discrimination against older workers

Such an exemption from a $15 minimum would also likely lead to massive discrimination against older workers by employers seeking to bypass the law.

There has also been talk of excluding farmworkers. Farmworkers who perform the most arduous duties also must receive a higher wage. Why should they be left out? Many work long hours for little pay in jobs that few would willingly do. Leaving out a class of workers made up overwhelmingly by people of color is an act of blatant racism.

How are we to call ourselves the Garden State if we do not fairly compensate those who make it so?

There has been a great delay now in anticipation of the bill while living expenses continue to increase due to natural inflation. Delaying an increase for too long would erode the effect of raising the minimum wage.

In 2016, a bill to put $15 on the ballot as a referendum passed both legislative chambers easily but was vetoed by Christie and, unfortunately, the political will wasn’t there to override his veto.

Gov. Phil Murphy ran on raising the minimum wage to $15 and made it one of the central planks of his campaign. However, we have been waiting half a year for the bill to be passed. Working men and women cannot afford to wait. They have been waiting long enough while they are exploited, and deals are made to benefit those who don’t need extra protection.

The Legislature must send a bill raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour to the governor now.

Job Posting: New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice Seeks Outreach Coordinator

The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice is seeking candidates for the position of Outreach Coordinator. Please see the announcement below for details. The application deadline is this Friday, November 4th. 

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Outreach Coordinator, New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice

About Organization:

The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ) is a statewide membership-based coalition that creates and achieves policies in New Jersey that support immigrants in becoming economically, politically and socially rooted within the state. NJAIJ will use the power and strength of its member organizations to ensure that New Jersey’s immigrant communities are leaders in the development of policies that impact their lives and the lives of all New Jersey residents. NJAIJ and its members will work to ensure that New Jersey provides access to services, support family unity, and develop policies and strategies for immigrants to fully participate in civic life. The human, civil and labor rights of New Jersey’s immigrants, both documented and those seeking status, will be protected.

Description 

Reporting to the Program Coordinator and collaborating with the Executive Committee, the Outreach Coordinator will advance the mission of NJAIJ, by providing members with support and resources to continue advocating for immigrant rights across the state. The Outreach Coordinator will coordinate organizational trainings for Alliance members on focus areas that provide them with capacity building resources. Additionally, the Outreach Coordinator will also provide support to geographic regions in New Jersey where immigrant rights advocacy and organizing capacity are lacking. The Outreach Coordinator will also support community events around the issues outlined by our membership throughout the year. 

The Outreach Coordinator will be responsible for assisting with and implementing strategies to advance NJAIJ policy, by coordinating a state-wide effort to both provide high quality, uniform resources to immigrants, create a clearinghouse of best practices and advocacy strategies, and also ensure member organizations and their communities are plugged in to community organizing and civic engagement activities across the state. 

The Outreach Project Coordinator will be committed to building our members’ capacity while continuing the coordination and collaboration among partners, which will move the issue of immigration forward and help NJAIJ to achieve policy victories that are guided by immigrant leaders and community partners. 

The Outreach Project Coordinator will be expected to travel to other parts of the state and to work evenings and weekends. This position is ideal for candidates who have organizing background and are looking to expand their advocacy expertize, or those with advocacy expertize who wish to expand their organizing experience.   

Responsibilities

The Outreach Coordinator will have ongoing responsibility for the following specific activities:

 

• Build a network of community organizations and partners to expand resources for the Alliance membership;
• Manage and support members who participate in capacity building by providing resources, training, and mentorship;
• Train and support NJAIJ members in the areas of community organizing, advocacy, know-your-rights, citizenship/voter registration, deportation and law enforcement, labor policies, education, healthcare, legal services, administrative relief, start your own organization, day laborer organizing, and other areas of need per alliance membership requests; 
• Create toolkits for member organizations to participate in the NJAIJ advocacy campaigns; 
• Gather and share best practices and advocacy resources;
• Train volunteers and community partners on best practices for community outreach through train the trainers;
• Organize information sessions and clinics, with support and partnership of NJAIJ members, in areas with fewer resources with the support and participation of community partners;
• Provide support and anchor the work of all the organizations around the Alliance work;
• Support in drafting content for NJAIJ website, fact sheets, reports, training materials, and other resources;
• Work closely with Program Coordinator to complement the activities of the Alliance’s Policy and Advocacy campaign. 

Qualifications and Experience

The Outreach Coordinator should have the following experience and qualifications:

 

• At least one year of experience in organizing, immigration advocacy, project management, or legal, preferably on issues that fall within the NJAIJ’s priorities;
• Experience working with immigrant communities;
• Some knowledge of capacity building and/or organizational support around advocacy issues;
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing the NJAIJ’s values, mission, and goals, with knowledge and understanding of the range of immigration issues;
• Experience working in/with coalitions preferred;
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse staff, coalitions and community groups, motivate volunteers, and work across the political spectrum;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking skills;
• Ability to work independently and keep organized in a fast-paced environment, manage several projects simultaneously, and adjust strategy to frequently changing demands;
• Demonstrated understanding of how to use social media;
• Willingness to work sometimes irregular hours, including evenings and weekends;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain orderly records;
• Proficiency with MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Documents;
• Valid driver’s license preferred but not required;
• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is the minimum required educational credential;
• Fluency in English and Spanish is desired.

Benefits package includes health benefits, travel reimbursements, vacation, and holidays. Position secure for one year, longer term contingent on funding. 

How to apply:

To apply for the position, please submit a substantive cover letter and current resume by November 4, 2016 to Johanna Calle, jcalle@njimmigrantjustice.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Hiring Policy

NJAIJ/NEO Philanthropy is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected status.

http://www.njimmigrantjustice.org/jobs

Johanna Calle
Program Coordinator
New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice
Email: jcalle@njimmigrantjustice.org
Phone (o): 973-474-9850
Phone (c): 201-580-3060
Fax: 973-643-8924
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