"The Time is Now for a Path to Citizenship' is the Message to CT's Senators

As Nelson Pinos received a stay of deportation last month after four years in sanctuary at the First and Summerfield Church to keep his family together, the demand is intensifying nationally and in Connecticut that a pathway to citizenship be included in the reconciliation package to be acted upon by the U.S. Senate.

“Our undocumented community demands relief and a pathway to citizenship,” says CT Students for a Dream in an organizing appeal. “The time is now.”

Last week, they met with Sen Chris Murphy's aides in Hartford to press for support of a pathway to citizenship and “to only vote for the reconciliation package if the pathway to citizenship is kept in it.” The week before Make the Road CT held a round table with Sen Blumenthal to share lived experiences and insist that the time is now.

The campaign is part of a national effort. “The only thing that can protect all immigrant youth, TPS holders, farm workers and other essential workers, is a path to citizenship through reconciliation,” says a sign-on letter to the Senators now being circulated. “Until President Biden and Democrats in Congress deliver on citizenship, the lives of millions of undocumented people remain on the line. Democrats must pass a pathway to citizenship this year, no excuses. And they must use every tool at their disposal.” the letter says.

With an evenly divided Senate, and a filibuster rule that requires 60 votes for most bills to pass, the reconciliation process which only requires a simple majority of 50 plus the vote of the Vice President, places the onus on Democrats to do the job. No Republicans have indicated support for a path to citizenship.

For Nelson Pinos and his family the situation is immediate. Pinos took sanctuary in November of 2017 to keep his family together after being informed that despite living in the US for 29 years and being the father of three young children, he would be deported.

After many failed appeals, the most recent resulted in a one-year stay, during which time lawyers will try to reopen his case and get permanent residency.

Pinos rallied on the steps of New Haven City Hall this week with Senator Blumenthal, homecare workers, janitors, and farmworkers to call for a historic budget blueprint that includes citizenship for millions of essential workers and an investment in good jobs.

The labor and community groups demanded a national economic recovery that centers around the nation’s most vulnerable and essential workers, including a pathway to citizenship for those without status.

The rally was part of a series of town halls across the country hosted by the Natkional Domestic Workers Alliance, the Always Essential coalition and the We Are Home Coalition.

On August 24, the House of Representatives approved the Senate’s budget blueprint, including a path to citizenship for undocumented essential workers, farmworkers, and immigrants in limbo, including those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Citizenship for millions is an investment in the American economy and will boost wages, reduce deficits, and accelerate GDP growth, said the coalition.

“I am forever grateful to have Temporary Protected Status, but much like COVID-19 has limited all of us for a year and a half, so my status has limited my ability to see family and plan for the future for a quarter century,” said Fausto Canelas, a Bridgeport office cleaner and 32BJ member originally from Honduras. “Immigrants like me risked our lives throughout the pandemic, performing essential jobs so that all Americans could live as normally as possible; we are asking Congress to honor our sacrifice by opening a path to citizenship so we can live normally, too.”

Send a letter to both CT Senators here https://actionnetwork.org/.../send-a-letter-demand-ct.../... 

Backyard Multi-Cultural Celebration to be held at Peoples Center

A multi-cultural celebration and re-opening from the pandemic is being held by the New Haven Peoples Center on Saturday August 28 from 2 to 6 pm.

The celebration will highlight the hard work over the last 18 months during the pandemic, and look forward to renewed activities and organizing to expand racial and economic justice and social needs and peace..

The event will feature Capoeira Esperanza and a drum circle with Brian Jarawa Gray, performances by Ice the Beef and spoken word by Baub Bidon, Catherine Wicks and others. A demonstration of tortilla making and tacos will be on hand. Soft drinks and snacks will be available. Guests are asked to bring some food for a pot luck. A grill will be available for use.

The Peoples Center, located at 37 Howe Street in New Haven, has been the site of food distributions and rental assistance to the immigrant community by Unidad Latina en Accion for the last 18 months.

Immigrants without documents and their family members have been excluded from all governent pandemic relief. After a strong demand placed by immigrant organizations across the state including the Semilla Collective, CT Students for a Dream and the Connecticut Immigrant Rights Alliance, a special Connecrticut fund was set up to make pandemic relief available to immigrant families regardless of status.

During these months, the Peoples Center Jobs and Unemployed Committee has provided information about benefits won in the American Rescue Plan including pandemic unemployment funds, extending rent and foreclosure moratoriums, providing rent and utility relief, the child tax credit and direct stimulus payments.

Recovery Act funds are available for tenants who were unable to pay rent due to the pandemic both through the State’s UniteCT rental assistance program and in New Haven through the program CASTLE. Landlords are required to go through the Unite CT process before they can start eviction proceedings. Tenants are now entitled to legal counsel in housing court.

Food insecurity, and racism in health, housing and employment were all exposed during the pandemic. The Jobs and Unemployed Committee is helping organize for larger and transformative rescue packages before Congress.

Most recently, President Biden acted to increate SNAP benefits. State Rep Juan Candelaria annoucned that “Starting in October, SNAP benefits will rise an average of 25 percent—a permanent change that will benefit our nation's 42 million SNAP beneficiaries. As a result, the average SNAP benefit – excluding additional funds provided as part of pandemic relief – will increase by $36.24 per person, per month, beginning October 1, 2021.

“This additional assistance will help individuals and families maintain a healthy diet and keep food on the table both during and after these uncertain times.

“Click here to learn more about Connecticut's SNAP program, including information on how to apply for food assistance.”

For more information about the Backyard Multi-Cultural Celebration or the Jobs and Unemployed Committee contact peoplescenter@pobox.com or leave a message at 203-624-8664.

Long-term Caregivers Demand Livable Wages In Civil Disobedience at Governor's Mansion

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Home care workers (PCAs) rallied at the Governor’s Residence in Hartford to demand a fair contract, and calling for the $200 thousand of federal funds included in the Recovery Act for home care services to be allocated to meet the needs of healthcare workers. 

 

There are 10,000 home care PCAs covered by SEIU District 1199’s union contract with the State of Connecticut, serving 6,000 families. The contract, which expired at the end of June,was extended pending negotiations.

“If Connecticut cares about advancing racial and pay equity, negotiate a fair contract with PCAs, the majority of whom are women of color that make poverty wages with no health insurance, retirement or paid time off”, said Diedre Murch, vice president of District 1199’s home care division.

“It’s a shame that we have to be out here in 2021 doing the very things that they did back in the sixties. I mean, we’re talking over 50 years of a struggle for people,” said State Rep. Robyn Porter, co-chair of the Labor Committee. “I will be here with you every step of the way. If we can't get these things done right this year, then when are we going to make things right?”

“I think of all the people that you help as healthcare workers. That you’re there to make sure they have that dignity and that they can get through the hardest part of their lives. That they can have some stability in their lives.,” said State Rep Ed Vargas, asking, “ Is that possible if you as a healthcare workers don’t have stability in your own lives?”

“This is a fight for dignity.” Vargas concluded. “ This is a fight to make sure that the work you’re doing is recognized. And you will win and we will support you all the way,”

The demand by union home care workers for living wages and benefits has national support including Mary Kay Henry President of SEIU, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II of the Poor People’s Campaign and Repairers of the Breach, and Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

Funds Available for Rent Relief as Eviction Moratorium Ends

Resounding protests against the July 31 expiration of the federal eviction moratorium, especially when COVID-19 is increasing, resulted in the CDC temporarily reinstating the moratorium in some locations.

Despite opposition, the state moratorium on evictions has expired in Connecticut. However, funds for rent and utility relief are available for those unable to pay due to the pandemic. As well, there are new protections against eviction and foreclosure. Many renters and working class landlords do not konw how to access this relief.

$450 million from the American Recovery Plan, which was fought for and won, are available through Unite CT. Of these funds only $50 million has been released to help 5,600 families as of July 31 according to Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz.

Speaking at a press conference in New Haven called by Mayor Justin Elicker, she said 89,000 families in Connecticut can't pay rent.

Many families are unable to apply on-line for the $15,000 in rent relief and $1,400 in electricity payments. In most cities a partner agency is prepared to give in-person help filling out the applications. A Unite CT van is traveling the state to offer assistance for people to apply.

Information about where and how to get help reaching Unite CT is available at their website: https://portal.ct.gov/DOH/DOH/Programs/UniteCT, or by calling 1-844-864-8328.

In New Haven, an additional city rental assistance program, CASTLE, has been established at Livable Cities Initiative. Call 203-546-7090 or go to their website: https://www.newhavenct.gov/gov/depts/lci/default.htm

Protections for tenants include a new law guaranteeing the right to counsel in housing court. But landlords are required to apply for Unite CT funds before they can start eviction proceedings. There is a 30 day stay of eviction if either the tenant or landlord applies to Unite CT, during which time the rent can be paid.

At the press conference and in a follow up call to voters, Mayor Elicker emphasized that It is illegal for a landlord to change locks, shut off utilities, or otherwise remove a tenant who has not paid rent. Landlords must go through the full eviction court process.

Those who need help can call:

• CT Fair Housing  860-247-4400 

• Legal Aid  800-453-3320 

• Unidad Latina en Accion 203-606-3484

• Peoples Center Jobs and Unemployed Committee 203-624-8664

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