Majority of undocumented immigrants in California need COVID-19 relief, new study shows

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION) A new survey by the California Immigrant Relief Assistance Coalition shows that more than half of undocumented immigrants in California have unmet needs for food, and nearly 90 percent (of 91,000 citizens surveyed) need assistance with housing.

Many undocumented residents on the Central Coast are farm workers who are struggling more now that harvest season is over, according to the United Farm Workers.

Undocumented immigrants did not receive any relief in the original COVID-19 federal relief package. Over the summer, California allocated $75 million in funding that reached only 10 percent of all undocumented residents in the state.

California has 2 million undocumented immigrants that pay roughly $40 billion in taxes annually, according to CHIRLA.

Tonight at 5 and 6 p.m. on KION, Drew Andre reports on the request for more COVID-19 relief for undocumented immigrants across the state and on the Central Coast.