Immigrant Essential Workers, the COVID-19 Pandemic, and Community Responses
May 28, 2020 03:00 PM
January 01, 1970 12:00 AM
Immigrants represent a disproportionate share of US essential workers, with many working on the frontlines of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, many have been excluded from federal stimulus and relief programs, and fear that their use of public services and benefits will prevent them from gaining permanent immigration status. Many states and localities, on the other hand, recognize the integral role that immigrants play in their communities and seek to extend to them the full benefits of membership. This webinar presents new estimates on immigrant (foreign-born) workers in “essential critical infrastructure” jobs, as defined by the US Department of Homeland Security. It provides data on these workers by US state and by immigration status, including for DACA recipients. The webinar also highlights the importance of immigrants to local communities, and features inclusive state and local responses to immigrant families and undocumented workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers include:
- Donald Kerwin, Executive Director, Center for Migration Studies
- Michael Nicholson, Researcher, Center for Migration Studies
- Daniela Alulema, Director of Programs, Center for Migration Studies
- Zulma Maciel, Director, Office of Immigrant Affairs of the City of San Jose
- Juan Carlos Cerda, Dallas-Fort Worth Business Outreach Manager, Texas Business Immigration Coalition
- Dr. Laura González-Murphy, Director of Immigration Policy and Research, NY State Department of State