Over the past few weeks, the global health pandemic COVID-19 has changed the lives of the immigrant families of El Barrio (East Harlem, NYC) forever. Immigrant families in our community have already tested positive for COVID-19. Some facing this nightmare have needed to be hospitalized in the ICU and placed on life-saving ventilators. Many others in our community are ill with the symptoms, but are unable to gain access to tests. The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 will only grow in the coming weeks. According to the New York City Mayor, 50% of the population will be infected by coronavirus by the end of this pandemic. The immigrant community in El Barrio are terrified of contracting the virus and distressed on how they will pay rent, put food on the table and pay for necessary utilities.

This crisis has had a crippling economic effect on our immigrant community. The majority of our immigrant neighbors have been laid off or are currently unemployed due to the city and state-wide shut down of non-essential businesses. Immigrants that are domestic workers, food service restaurant workers, street vendors, among many others, suddenly have no source of income. Unfortunately, there is no sign of relief for our community because many do not qualify for state/federal aid, sick leave, paid time off and unemployment benefits. In fact, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act completely excludes tax-paying immigrants from accessing the $2.2 trillion COVID-19 federal relief fund.

On the other hand, there are members of our community who put their lives and the lives of their families at risk by continuing to report to work every day as part of our essential workforce. Immigrant delivery workers, supermarket stockers, hospital cleaning crews, all work to keep the city functioning, and by doing so, they expose themselves to contracting COVID-19.  If and when illness strikes them, most will not receive paid time off, sick leave, unemployment, or state/federal aid.

We are seeking to create a mutual aid project aimed at supporting immigrant members and their families of our beloved El Barrio community who are sick with COVID-19. Please commit your financial resources to stand in solidarity with the most vulnerable members of our society. By helping us reach our goal, we will be able to move quickly and provide emergency resources for our community.