Senator Eldridge, and Representatives Balser and Miranda File Immigrant Taxpayers Stimulus Act

This bill would provide stimulus checks to immigrant taxpayers who are not eligible for the federal CARES Act.

Boston, MA - In response to concerns that immigrant taxpayers are being excluded from stimulus payments provided by the federal government under the CARES Act, State Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representatives Ruth Balser and Liz Miranda have filed S.D 2916, An Act Relative to Providing Equal Stimulus Checks to Immigrant Taxpayers, the “Immigrant Taxpayers Stimulus Act.”

Last month, Congress passed the federal CARES Act, a $2.2 trillion package that provides much-needed stimulus checks for most American taxpayers. However, the law excludes taxpayers who file with an ITIN rather than a Social Security Number. These taxpayers are mostly immigrant families who have paid the same share of income taxes as those with social security numbers and deserve the same assistance.

“Immigrants play a crucial role in Massachusetts’s economy, and we need to ensure that undocumented immigrants and their families receive the same financial support as other taxpayers have through the federal CARES Act. At a time of a pandemic,  more than ever, we need to take serious action and provide financial help to all vulnerable populations.” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton). “While the federal government did not provide direct financial relief to tens of thousands of Massachusetts immigrants families, the Legislature, reflecting Massachusetts values, can.”

This bill would provide a stimulus check to ITIN taxpayers that is equal to the stimulus checks provided under the CARES Act. It would set the amount of the credit to mirror the CARES Act provisions ($2400 for joint filers, $1200 for individual filers and $500 per child). It will also facilitate that those funds are received in the form of a direct deposit. Additionally, it would provide $10 million to immigrant aid organizations.

“As a first generation Cabo-Verdean American, I grew up in a working class immigrant family that strived for the American Dream in parallel with all families. My family paid their taxes, played by the rules and contributed to the community. Now, in a global pandemic, families like mine are experiencing historic economic and health instability compounded with disproportionately high rates of COVID-19. Investing in all families is a critical public health tool to tackle the existing inequities this virus has inflamed,” said State Representative Liz Miranda.

"If this public health crisis has made one thing clear, it's that we are all in this together!  All residents of Massachusetts need the same protection from the health and economic impacts of COVID-19.  Immigrants, regardless of status, who have been working and paying taxes should receive the same stimulus check that everyone else in the community receives," said Representative Ruth B. Balser.

The Brazilian Worker Center is one of the many organizations that will be directly impacted by this bill. They work to support immigrant workers and their families’ struggles around issues of workplace rights and immigration.

“We believe that everyone who filed their income taxes should be included as beneficiaries of any stimulus rebate package,” said Natalicia Tracy, Executive Director of the Brazilian Worker Center. “It's important for this kind of relief to be broad and inclusive, and distributed in a fair manner -- recognizing all of those who work to contribute to building all our communities in the Commonwealth.”

The Chinese Progressive Association is another impacted organization that works to ensure full equality of the Chinese community in Boston.

Executive director at the Chinese Progressive Association, Karen Chen said, “Equity has to be in the center of how we address this pandemic. Whether it is access to resources, assistance, or information, immigrant communities, communities of color, people with disabilities and homeless or live in overcrowding living conditions are at disadvantage. This would help bring much needed resources to the immigrant communities.”

Brazilian Pastor at a church in Hudson Massachusetts expresses his concern for his congregational members, many of whom are tax contributors but are excluded from the CARES Act due to their status. 

“Many of my members have been unemployed for over a month now, and as a church we have created an emergency fund, but it is simply not enough to deal with this serious crisis. My Brazilian community has been devastated by this lack of income. The fact that we don’t have a social security number doesn’t prevent us from paying our taxes to this great nation, so why is it preventing us from receiving stimulus benefits?” said Pastor Constantino Pereira Júnior. 

Reinaldo Domes, a 44 year old Brazilian construction worker, speaks out on behalf of his colleagues. 

“For those workers who don't qualify for federal emergency assistance, the ITIN bill is very important because all workers need to keep their families safe and financially stable. As a union worker, I know I will get the federal funds but more than 90% of workers in the construction industry won't. Every worker that pays taxes in this country should have the same right to get back up especially when they need it the most like now during this economic crisis caused by the Coronavirus,” said Reinaldo Domes. 

Margareth Shepard, Framingham City Councilor and board member of BRACE (Brazilian-American center) has worked to connect the Brazilian community with other immigrant communities.

“The Federal Government failed to provide support for undocumented immigrants workers that pay their taxes using ITIN numbers. Our state can step up and fill this gap. This bill will offer relief to families that are on the lowest side of the income chain and guarantee that they will have food on their tables,” said Margareth Shepard. 

Legislators can cosponsor the bill S.D. 2916 at https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2659.

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