Illegal immigrants in California have jammed up phone lines in the state to claim $500 funds provided by the state’s relief program.
State officials say approximately 150,000 illegal immigrants qualify for California’s $75 million economic relief program on a first-come, first-serve basis. The program was conducted via telephone to promote social distancing amid the coronavirus.
Government phone lines were bombarded by illegal immigrants hoping they could obtain payments of $500 per person or $1,000 per household. “The phone lines were completely saturated,” said Adolfo Luna, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, according to a report by the New York Times.
Other private groups are reportedly pledging an additional $50 million to provide economic relief for an additional 100,000 immigrants. California citizens and illegal immigrant residents were allowed to begin applying for the relief program on April 28.
“The state’s Disaster Relief Fund will be dispersed through a community-based model of regional nonprofits with expertise and experience serving undocumented communities,” said a press release from California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office.
“California is the most diverse state in the nation. Our diversity makes us stronger and more resilient. Every Californian, including our undocumented neighbors and friends, should know that California is here to support them during this crisis. We are all in this together,” said Newsom about the program, which was announced on April 15. “Regardless of your status, documented or undocumented, there are people in need.”
California has been home to several hotbeds of the virus, including the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles County. State and local officials have sparred over settling on a timeline of when the state should reopen in an effort to prevent a spike in cases from opening too early. California has seen nearly 81,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 3,300 associated deaths.
The state has slowly started easing restrictions, letting retailers open for curbside pickup with a maximum of 10 employees allowed on-site. Manufacturers and warehouses may have no more than 50 workers on-site, and small stores can have no more than five employees on-site, according to the Los Angeles Times.
