 The Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund provides COVID relief money to immigrants who aren’t eligible for federal stimulus funds or unemployment insurance. If you apply, you can receive a $1,000 one-time direct payment (up to $3,000 per household). El Fondo de Asistencia debido al Coronavirus para Inmigrantes de Washington brinda asistencia financiera a aquellos inmigrantes que hayan sufrido el impacto de la pandemia y no son elegibles para recibir fondos federales de asistencia financiera o seguro por desempleo. Aplicando a este fondo, usted puede recibir un pago único y directo de $1,000 (hasta $3,000 por hogar).
 Update: Please join JCIRA supporters to watch and discuss the 5th episode of Immigration Nation, the Netlix documentary that's been getting a lot of viewership and attention. Tonight, Tuesday, Sept. 22 we'll watch and discuss Episode 5: "The Right Way". This film focuses on the stories of people navigating the "legal" immigration system, and how much ICE enforcement officers, who make arrests and deportations of people who haven't managed to do it "the right way", understand about the realities of the system. It doesn't matter if you haven't seen the first four episodes, each one stands on its own.
Sign in to Zoom at 6:30pm to watch the film or 7:35 to join in the discussion only. All are welcome. Meeting ID: 848 3749 8936 Passcode: JCIRA JCIRA is organizing a Zoom discussion group on the new series called “Immigration Nation”. TIME’s TV critic Judy Berman has stated that it is the "most important show" of 2020 (https://time.com/5874200/immigration-nation-ice/). This six-part series contains footage and interviews on both sides of the border over the last 3-4 years. The filmmakers interviewed a wide range of those involved in the system: not just migrants, families of migrants, and coyotes; they also had startlingly candid access to ICE officers and operations, showing the operations and tactics usually obscured from public view. Everyone is invited to join us for the following: Tues., August 25, 6:30pm — Zoom watch Episode 1, 7:30 Join Zoom discussion Thurs., August 27, 6:30 pm — Zoom watch Episode 2, 7:30 Join Zoom discussion If you have Netflix at home and if you choose, watch anytime and just join us for discussion. There will be breakout groups if needed. If there is additional interest, we will schedule additional episodes/discussion after August 27. If you are interested, please contact Kathleen Holt at kathleenholt@gmail.com to sign up and to receive more information and how-to zoom access. Pre-registration isn’t required, but will help us with planning to form discussion groups for those interested. See the Immigration Nation trailer at https://www.netflix.com/title/80994107. If you need technical assistance please text (or call) Julia @ 360 821-nineteen twenty-six. Our friends Wenatchee for Immigrant Justice are mobilizing to support farmworkers displaced in Brewster due to the wildfires and smoke. Please consider supporting their fundraiser.
The Trump administration has published a new rule that will effectively end the possibility of asylum for hundreds of thousands of people. Asylum is protection granted to persons forced to flee their home country due to persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Without asylum many of those who request it will suffer torture or death. Jefferson County Immigration Rights Advocates (JCIRA) strongly opposes the proposed rule and asks your help to influence our government to withdraw it.
JCIRA is part of Giving Tuesday Now, a new global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. We urge you to join us in helping community members on the Olympic Peninsula currently unemployed due to the virus. Please read below and then give at our JCIRA GoFundMe. Thank you! And thank you so much to those of you who have already given! Each day, there are parents in our community trying to decide whether to buy diapers, pay the rent, or buy food. There is a feeling of desperation as they face the coming days. Many are families of salal workers who work in the forests picking salal for the little-known domestic and international floral greens industry. These folks, many originally from Central America, are out of work due to the collapse of the industry. Since early March, JCIRA volunteers have been having almost daily conversations with immigrants desperately seeking our financial assistance, both salal workers and others throughout the county. With funding from the Jefferson Community Foundation and supporters like you, we’ve been able to send $500 checks to more than 140 families to help with their basic needs. But we all know that rent comes due every month. Please help provide some sorely needed security for these families, most of whom will not be receiving any help from the government! JCIRA guarantees that all funds collected go to people in need within a few days of application--so long as we have money to send them! Please contribute what you can by clicking below:  Fondo de Emergencia Familiar Inmigrante COVID-19 / COVID-19 Immigrant Family Emergency Fund5/1/2020
¿Es Usted inmigrante? ¿Necesita ayuda con costos en estos tiempos difíciles? JCIRA tiene asistencia disponible para inmigrantes que viven o trabajan en los condados de Jefferson o Clallam. Déjanos un mensaje con tu nombre y número de teléfono al 360-232-6070 y lo llamaremos. --- Are you an immigrant? Do you need financial help during these difficult times? JCIRA has assistance available for immigrants who live and/or work in Jefferson or Clallam counties. Leave us a message with your name and phone number at 360-232-6070 and we will call you back.  https://www.gofundme.com/f/jcira-fundJCIRA (Jefferson County Immigrant Rights Advocates) hopes to raise enough money to help families of local workers suddenly unemployed by the COVID-19 impacts to the economy: More than 200 forestry workers on the Olympic Peninsula no longer have work About 100 people who worked in restaurants, motels and hotels no longer have work Elder caregivers, nursing home assistants, domestic workers and babysitters are losing their only sources of income Workers in the shellfish and oyster fisheries are gradually being laid off Our undocumented immigrant neighbors are unable to access support through unemployment benefits and government relief checks, or have equal access to healthcare. It is our most marginalized communities that suffer the most in a crisis. JCIRA has been committed to supporting our local immigrant community through our Legal Defense and Family Support Fund since the winter of 2018. Since that date, we have provided over $22,000 in direct financial support to help pay for basic needs, rent, legal support, medical care, and education. With the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that the need for financial support will only increase in the coming months. As of March 29, 2020, undocumented workers and their families will receive nothing - despite the fact that many have lived here for 10 years or more, have been fully employed, paid taxes to the federal government and have been strong participants in community life. Please donate to help keep our local immigrant families housed, safe and healthy during this unprecedented crisis. Thank you so much for your support! Please give now - and give generously. VISIT THE GO FUND ME WEB PAGE TO DONATE Our mission is to support the rights of immigrants and their families, giving priority to those who live or work on the Olympic Peninsula and immigrant detainees within Washington State, through access to legal services, standing witness, family support, community education and advocacy for local, state and national issues.Upcoming Events!!1) JCIRA general monthly meeting scheduled for March 17, 2020 has been canceled due to the concerns about the coronavirus. We'll meet again on April 21st same time and same place. You'll receive notice before then in the April newsletter. 2) P O S T C A R D P A R T Y !! Join Indivisible Huddle the first Sunday of each month at Pippa's Real Tea at 636 Water Street - 3 to 4:30. Postcards, sample text, addresses, stamps, and good company are provided! In Case You Missed It(From the JCIRA General Meeting on February 18)
Legislative UpdateIn the February JCIRA newsletter we provided information on six legislative bills that concerned the immigrant community in particular. The session is due to end March 12, but we feel confident to say that two bills will land on the Governor's desk for his signature:
One other bill, SB6247/HB2511 to provide labor protections for domestic workers has passed both chambers but still needed additional clearance due to its fiscal requirements at the time of this writing. You can always check the status on all bills for final results by going to https://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/ In looking back at our list in February, you'll see we didn't win them all, but this is a good start especially for a short session. Thanks to all of you who contacted legislators to advocate for these bills. ESL Class Needs Help!The YMCA English as a Second Language class, held weekly during the school year in Port Townsend and serves adults, is currently underfunded through June. Please consider making a donation to the Y and designate it for the 2020 ESL class. It's advisable to write ESL class on the memo line of the check and also send it with a personal note from you. You can make out your check to YMCA and send it directly to them at: 1925 Blaine Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Thanks so much for your support! Coronavirus/Covid-19 Information in SpanishEl siguiente enlace de Internet contiene informacion en espanol sobre el Coronavirus/Covid-19. El enlace de Internet trata de como se propaga el Covid-19, los sintomas, la prevencion y el tratamiento y mucha mas informacion proporcionada por Centros para el Control y la Prevencion de Enfermedades. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index-sp.html The following link has information in Spanish about the Coronavirus. It deals with how Covid-19 is spread, the symptoms, the prevention and treatment and much more information provided by the Center for Disease Control. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index-sp.html Good News Dept!A Town of Immigrant Farm Workers Says No to an ICE Detention Center.
For a complete story on this go to: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/20/us/immigration-detention-bakersfield-mcfarland.html?action=click&module=News&pgtype=Homepage  The last Quilombo dance we had at Finnriver was great. We'll definitely be there, dancing every minute!! Come join us!
Have you been following the presidential candidates' campaigns? Have you read their platforms on immigration?
JCIRA cannot and will not endorse any political candidates but it is important to share immigration information with others. If you have additional knowledge that we should consider adding for viewers, please let us know. Contact Libby Palmer: libbypalmer2@gmail.com |
Emergency Funds Due to Covid-19 are Needed!
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