Millions of Californians lack a safety net in times of crisis
Thank you for supporting undocumented Californians who experienced extreme hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020 and 2021, the California Immigrant Resilience Fund (CIRF) provided cash assistance to undocumented Californians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. CIRF was part of a public-private partnership with the State of California, the first in the nation. Together, the state-financed immigrant relief fund, CIRF, and aligned funding partners distributed more than $75 million to aid individuals and families across California.
With a commitment to racial, economic, and social justice, CIRF sought to achieve fair, timely, and equitable distribution of cash assistance. We worked with nearly 60 local partner organizations that share our values and that have long standing relationships with underserved immigrant populations and communities across the state.
While launched in response to COVID-19, CIRF established a long-term infrastructure and statewide network that can be quickly mobilized to address future crises and opportunities.
Undocumented immigrants are concentrated in low-wage sectors hardest hit by the pandemic
From caregiving and hospitality to food service and day labor - they are more vulnerable to COVID-19, have lost their jobs or are seeing reduced hours, and have no other means of keeping a roof over their heads and putting food on the table.
Undocumented workers in California represent 10% of our state’s workforce and pay more than $7 billion in local, state, and federal taxes annually.
Yet they have been excluded from federal COVID-19 relief and remain ineligible for unemployment and other state safety-net programs.
Did you know?
1 in 2
Californian children has at least one immigrant parent.
1 in 3
Undocumented immigrants in California has at least one U.S-citizen child under 18.
1 in 4
Foreign-born Californians is undocumented.
1 in 5
Citizen children in California has at least one undocumented family member.