Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García Urges Congress to Provide Survival Checks to All Families Including Immigrant & Mixed Status Families

In a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) today called on negotiators to include direct assistance, in the form of stimulus checks, for immigrant and mixed-status families in any COVID-19 emergency relief package. These are his remarks as delivered:

The video of the speech can be found here.

"We are close to finalizing a relief package, but I ask my colleagues: Relief for whom? A relief package without survival checks is not a relief package at all! Nor is a relief package that leaves out millions of immigrants and their families.

"Any deal we strike must include survival checks to families -- and -- immigrants and mixed-status families.

"Earlier this year, countless families I represent were denied stimulus checks, including U.S. Citizens, whose spouses are immigrants. We even excluded children who may have an immigrant parent. How in the world did we exclude U.S citizen children?

"In this season of sacred holidays, I implore all of us to be compassionate and not punish kids for their parents' status.

"Families are struggling to put food on the table and to keep a roof over their heads. Circumstances are dire. We need to put money directly into working families' pockets.

"I urge my colleagues that any relief package must include survival checks for everyone, including immigrant children."

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