As lawmakers push for federal aid for undocumented families, local group raises thousands for community

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—Thousands of undocumented families in New Mexico don't qualify for the most recent federal stimulus checks that were given out to families this week during the coronavirus pandemic, despite many being essential workers.

Because of this the New Mexico Dream team decided to take matters into their own hands by creating a GoFundMe page to provide some relief to undocumented families in the state.

"I think it's just another visual representation of how our undocumented families are being left to fend for themselves," said Flaviano Graciano, the communications director with the group. "We can't really wait for our elected officials to come together with a plan, because the coronavirus pandemic, as we've all seen, moves quick."

Graciano said many of these frontline workers are working as farmers, health care workers, restaurant workers, cleaners and more. He said that those undocumented immigrants who have an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), do pay taxes.

The group has raised over $20, 000 so far and said it will be open to any undocumented families in the state.

"This money coming from the community, for the community," he said.

This week New Mexico Senators Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall were part of a group of lawmakers who sent a letter sent to congressional leadership asking them to consider providing aid to undocumented immigrants in upcoming relief packages saying in part, "as Congress consider the vital protections and economic lifelines provided in coronavirus relief legislation are accessible to all communities, regardless of immigration status or limited english proficiency."

In a statement, Nora Sackett, a spokesperson for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said “We know undocumented families do not qualify for the most recent federal stimulus, but we hope that with additional stimulus packages to come, the number of people eligible for assistance will be expanded.”

Earlier this week the California Gov. Gavin Newsom approved a $125 million disaster relief package to help undocumented families in the state.

We asked Sackett whether the governor is planning to pass legislation for this population, and Sackett said "Any number of economic recovery options for New Mexico will be considered. Obviously, New Mexico does not have the same kind of financial resources as a big state like California, but the governor is committed to supporting every New Mexican during this trying time. "

"Our members and our organization would hope that are elected officials are looking at these blue prints that these states are putting out, and hope that and consider this while coming together with that plan for our state," Flaviano said.

To quality for some of this money raised, families will have apply for this aid. The New Mexico Dream team created a council of local leaders to help with this process. The application will be available in the coming days.

For more information visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/covid-relief-for-undocumented-families-in-nm?