FA R M
L A B O R
I N F O R M AT I O N
B U L L E T I N
Voice of the Fields California
February 2021
FREE
Volume 31, Number 2
COVID-19 Updates
Uninsured? Undocumented? Resources Are Available
ver 3 million people in California are currently infected with COVID-19 and the overwhelming majority of counties are assigned to the highest risk level tiers with widespread cases. Since the beginning of the pandemic, nearly half a million people have lost their lives to COVID-19 across the United States. January was the deadliest month so far as 95,000 people lost their battle with the virus. Despite these depressing numbers, there is an upside. Vaccine distribution is well underway and holds promising results for slowing the spread of coronavirus. In California, over five million people have already been vaccinated. There is still a long way left to go to vaccinate all forty million Californians, but every day we are one step closer to a safer environment.
As we near the year-mark of the start of shutdowns, stay-at-home orders, and quarantines, it’s an understatement to say that we are tired. We are dealing with unreasonable amounts of stress and we are ready for this experience to be behind us. The good news is that there is finally a light at the end of this long tunnel. People are being vaccinated across the U.S. at a rate of about 2 million per day, and at that pace, everyone living in the U.S. will hopefully be vaccinated by July 2021. In the meantime, we can all do our part to ensure that numbers don’t skyrocket again by not gathering with those outside of our household, following safety protocols like mask-wearing, handwashing, and social distancing, and participating in free services like COVID-19 testing and ultimately, COVID-19 vaccination.
California Immigrant Resilience Fund
Statewide Hotlines and County Information
available in your area like housing, physical and mental health referrals and crisis interventions. Calling 211 is free and information is available in English and Spanish. The state also has a hotline available to answer any questions about CA Notify, California’s alert system for those who came in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Services are available Monday - Sunday from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m at 1-888-421-9457 (888-4C19-HLP)
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California has a COVID-19-specific hotline for any questions you may have about the virus, testing, vaccinations, or other resources. You can trust that this hotline has the most up to date, accurate information in English and Spanish. Services are available 7 days per week, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., and SaturdaySunday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m at 1-833-422-4255 (833-4CA-4ALL) Add CA Notify to your phone now to stop the spread of COVID-19. Your information is private and your location is never tracked. Apple Users: Go to your “Settings” and enable “Exposure Notifications” Android Users: Download the CA Notify app in the Google Play Store Resources and services vary by community and county in California. That’s why the state created the 211 information line for all Californians to inquire about resources available in your area. You can call 211 anytime to find out about a variety of information - from medical services to food and employment assistance, disaster preparedness, recovery, and so much more. Information is not limited to COVID-19 resources only. There is a lot of information about many different forms of aid
My Turn: Vaccine Availability in CA
California created a state website called My Turn which allows people to check their eligibility for COVID-19 vaccination. Individuals can also schedule appointments for the vaccine if they are eligible or sign up to receive updates about the vaccine. Some counties have already begun vaccinating food and agriculture workers while others are still working on vaccinating healthcare workers and first responders. You will NOT be asked about your immigration status. You may be asked to provide a pay stub or another form of documentation to confirm your employment in the food and agriculture sector, though many people have not been asked for this information. Check your eligibility to receive the vaccine in English or Spanish at: myturn.ca.gov. My Turn is now available in Spanish online or over the phone at 1-833-422-4255.
Many benefits can be accessed in California regardless of immigration status. If you need a COVID-19 test or treatment, the government will pay for your services even if you are undocumented and don’t have insurance. Also, Medi-Cal care for COVID-19 testing or treatment does not count under the public charge rule, meaning that using these services will not keep you from getting a green card.
The California Immigrant Resilience Fund raised over $75 million for undocumented Californians that are not eligible for certain COVID-19 programs. This fund works with local organizations across the state and provides cash assistance directly to individuals who need it. If you are undocumented and need cash assistance because you cannot access other COVID-19 resources, visit the CA Resilience fund website to see if you can benefit from this program. The fund works directly with local organizations so you will need to select the region of California you live in, then apply directly to one of the local organizations that distributes funds on CA Immigrant Resilience Fund’s behalf. Right now, some organizations have long waiting lists, but it’s still worth checking to see what is available in your area. Website: www.immigrantfundca.org/aboutlocal-partners
Housing for the Harvest
If you are an agricultural worker and need to quarantine because you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 or tested positive for the virus, the state will temporarily house you in a hotel room, free of charge. Services vary by county, but most counties also offer free transportation to and from work, free meals, and some even offer cash assistance and other resources in addition to a hotel room. To access this program, you must meet the requirements below: You are an agricultural worker tested positive for COVID-19
rent home (example: farmworkers who live in shared housing and cannot remove themselves from other people in their living space.)
Contact your county about the Housing for the Harvest program: English: covid19.ca.gov/housing-foragricultural-workers/ Spanish: covid19.ca.gov/es/housing-foragricultural-workers/
Report Utility Shut-Offs
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the California Water Board is not allowing companies to shut off water due to non-payment. That means even if you have NOT paid your water bill, no one can shut off your water. If your water does get shut off, or if you have a reconnection issue, report it by filling out a form online at watershut-off.covid19.ca.gov. If you need Spanish language assistance, to fill out the form, you can call (916) 445-5617. For a complete list of information, benefits, and resources available to undocumented Californians, view the Guide for Immigrant Californians online. English: files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/wp/listos_covid_19_immigrant_guidance_en_daf.pdf Spanish: files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/wp/listos_covid_19_immigrant_guidance_es_daf.pdf
Taxes
When to file
Federal taxes are due to be filed and paid by April 15, 2021. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website has information and details about when and how to file your taxes, as well as information about how to pay your taxes. If you cannot pay in one payment, you may be eligible for a payment plan. View the IRS website for more information about everything tax-related. www.irs.gov www.irs.gov/es
New Tax Credits Available in CA
You may qualify for the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) if you work and have low income. This tax credit is now available to taxpayers who do NOT have a Social Security number but do have a Taxpayer Identification Number. If you are eligible for CalEITC, you can claim the credit on your 2020 individual tax returns which are filed this year, 2021. You may also qualify for the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC) if you have a child under the age of six and qualify for the CalEITC. Both of these state credits can give you hundreds of dollars. For more information on your eligibility and applying for the credit, visit the Franchise Tax Board website. www.ftb.ca.gov/file/personal/credits/california-earned-income-tax-credit.html www.ftb.ca.gov/file/personal/credits/ california-earned-income-tax-credit-es.html
Federal Immigration Reform New Administration, New Policies
With a new President in the Oval Office, immigration policies are changing in the United States. While these changes will take time to be executed, the Biden administration has already released details about its plans to overhaul the immigration system. Some of the most notable changes include providing millions of undocumented immigrants with a path to citizenship, halting the construction of the U.S./Mexico border wall, and keeping the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in place. He also ended the previous administration’s family separation policy and paused the Remain in Mexico program that forced asylum-seekers to stay in Mexico for court hearings. Executive actions took place in early February to begin changing previous immigration policies. Firstly, a task force to reunify families is being created to bring families together that were separated during the previous administration. Second, the U.S. asylum system will be restored for those seeking refuge and a strategy to address migration across the Southern Border is being executed. Thirdly, the Task Force on New Americans will be reestablished to ensure that the immigration system operates fairly and efficiently, and streamlines various processes like naturalization to make them much more accessible. To learn more about the current administration’s policies on immigration, COVID-19, and other topics, visit www.whitehouse.gov. The site is also available in Spanish by selecting “Menu” in the upper-righthand corner, then selecting “Español.”
Know Your Rights
Everyone living in the United States is afforded basic rights and privileges, including undocumented immigrants. Regardless of who is president, these rights remain the same and are dictated by the U.S. Constitution. California’s covid19.ca.gov website reminds individuals of their legal privileges in the “Help for Immigrants” section and outlines important resources that all undocumented people should be aware of.
Understand your basic rights You have the right to remain silent if an immigration officer stops you. n Your home is not searchable without a warrant. To be valid, the warrant must have your name and address on it. n You have the right to speak with an attorney for legal advice and you have the right to request an attorney’s presence during Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) questioning. n You have workers’ rights in the event of a workplace raid. Learn more about these rights on the Legal Aid at Work website: English: legalaidatwork.org/factsheet/ workplace-raids-workers-rights/ Spanish: egalaidatwork.org/factsheet/workplace-raids-workersrights/?lang=es Important things to remember n You should always carry important immigration documents with you. n You should create a safety plan to alert friends and family members if you are ever detained by ICE. Learn more about what to put in your safety plan: English: www.ilrc.org/sites/default/ files/resources/family_preparedness_ plan-20180625.pdf Spanish: www.ilrc.org/sites/default/ files/resources/family_preparedness_ plan-sp-20180726.pdf n You should report raids and arrests by ICE and keep your region’s Rapid Response Hotline number saved in your phone. The hotline will dispatch legal observers or immigration attorneys to the detained person, if needed. You can find your region’s rapid response hotline number at the following website: ccijustice.org/services/ california-rapid-response-networks/ n There is legal help available for immigration cases. Find legal assistance in your region by visiting the California Department of Social Services website: www.cdss.ca.gov/benefits-services/ more-services/immigration-services/immigration-services-contractors. n
Voice of the Fields California Circulation: 45,000 copies www.LaCooperativa.org Published monthly by: La Cooperativa Campesina de California 1107 9th Street, Suite 420, Sacramento, CA 95814 This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner. Content produced by ALZA Strategies, a full-service strategy firm that offers tise into the growing Latino market.
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