BNHR, Peace and Justice Ministry of the Catholic Diocese of El Paso, and the Farmworkers Center Celebrate the Passing of a Resolution to Include Immigrant Families in the 4th Stimulus Package

PRESS RELEASE

April 20th, 2020. EL PASO, TX.  –  Today, Border Network for Human Rights, Catholic Bishop Mark Seitz with Peace and Justice Ministry, the Farmworkers Center, dozens of community organizations, and hundreds of families in our community celebrated the passing of a resolution in El Paso County calling US Congress to include immigrant families – regardless of their immigrant status – in the stimulus package. We want to commend County Commissioner David Stout and County Judge Ricardo Samaniego as this could not have been possible without their leadership and support.

The coronavirus pandemic has hurt us all badly, but certainly not equally. The economic impact that it has brought to immigrant families needs to also be addressed at the federal level. While many other families are receiving some help to survive during this pandemic, immigrant families have been left adrift and to fend for themselves. They are currently experiencing serious economic hardships in addition to the risks involved in their ongoing essential work for the benefit of our whole community.  

Leaving undocumented and mixed families out of the stimulus package not only is immoral and incorrect but also deepens political tensions and further divides our country. There is no way we can survive this pandemic without taking care of everyone in our communities and our country.

It is absurd and hypocritical to call these families essential and at the same time treat them as unimportant and disposable. Our families deserve more than just being called heroes, they deserve our attention and support to fight back during these very hard times. It is at moments like this that our local, state and federal governments can prove their leadership and values. 

With this resolution, El Paso County Judge and Commissioners send a very important and strong message to the immigrant community, letting them know that they are not alone and that their hard work and contributions are not overlooked. We know that at least here in El Paso we have a strong leadership whose values are above any political agenda. NOTE: LINK TO RESOLUTION

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The Border Network for Human Rights, founded in 1998, is one of the leading human rights advocacy and immigration reform organizations in the U.S. BNHR has over 7,000 members in West Texas and Southern New Mexico