How Movimiento Cosecha operates a COVID-19 fund by and for undocumented immigrants
Click here to make a donation to the Undocumented Worker Fund
Across the U.S., undocumented immigrants have been particularly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. As millions of immigrant workers face indefinite loss of income or unsafe “essential” working conditions, undocumented and mixed-status families in need have been excluded from all government aid, including federal stimulus checks.
For this reason, Movimiento Cosecha launched the Undocumented Worker Fund back in March to support immigrant families affected by the coronavirus pandemic:
Thanks to thousands of grassroots supporters, we have been able to build a powerful national mutual aid network by and for undocumented workers and families.
Here are some highlights from our work so far. In two months, we have…
- Met our initial $1,000,000 fundraising goal
- Received donations from nearly 9,000 individual donors, including hundreds who donated their $1,200 stimulus checks
- Established an undocumented-led fund committee of more than 30 immigrant volunteers
- Redistributed approximately $300,000 and counting to nearly 1,000 families from our first round of applicants
- Prepared to reopen our applications next week to be able to support thousands of additional families (100% of donations will be redistributed)
The impact of grassroots donors
For immigrant families struggling to pay bills and stay safe during this dangerous time, direct cash relief is a critical support. By giving to our fund, thousands of allies across the country have taken action in solidarity with immigrant workers and families.
Together, we are rejecting the idea that the undocumented community does not deserve dignity and protection during this crisis.
Here’s a video from Silvia, a member from our fund approval committee in Georgia. She recorded it to thank the community and share more about her experience working to review and redistribute funds to families in need:
How our fund operates
Cosecha is a national movement that supports immigrant leaders to run campaigns and organize their communities. Before the pandemic, we had never administered this kind of fund before.
However, we knew that in this unprecedented crisis, immigrant communities would need to organize to support themselves. So we turned to our neighbors and allies to create the Undocumented Worker Fund, by immigrants and for immigrants.
Because we are undocumented-led, our application and approval process is designed to be as accessible and supportive as possible to undocumented families in need who may be scared or uncomfortable to request funds.
About the application and approval process
Any undocumented worker or family excluded from government aid and affected by the pandemic is eligible to apply to the Undocumented Worker Fund, even if they are not affiliated with Movimiento Cosecha. To apply, a household fills out one online form and participates in one phone interview. We only request the minimal necessary information in order to confirm identity and need.
We also chose to house the Undocumented Worker Fund within Cosecha’s 501(c)4, because this tax status gives us the most flexibility in what information we must collect and share about individuals receiving direct financial report. This is important to us because we prioritize limiting the gathering of private information and want reduce the risk of having to share information with the federal government.
After an application is submitted, it is reviewed by the members of our volunteer state (Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Georgia, Indiana, and Texas) and national (all other states) fund committees. Applicants receive a follow-up call from someone on the approval committee, like Silvia, to confirm their need and identity.
Though it is difficult for people to talk about the challenges they are facing, these calls also give us the opportunity to share with applicants that they are not alone in feeling angry and exhausted by the impossible circumstances we have been dealt as undocumented workers ourselves.
Click here to find more information about the fund at our website.
Organizing and leadership development
The Undocumented Worker Fund committee knows that no matter how much money we redistribute, it will not meet the short and long-term needs of all undocumented immigrants in the country. That is why we are committing to organizing undocumented immigrants and allies to fight for the permanent protection, dignity, and respect we truly deserve — during this pandemic and beyond.
Building and administering the infrastructure for the Undocumented Worker Fund has been an amazing leadership development experience for me and other Cosecha leaders across the country. Together, we represent the needs of our communities to make decisions, share learnings, and support an undocumented mutual aid network that is truly unique.
In this time when so many of us are excluded and exploited, organizing allows us to assert agency and our own power as immigrant workers and families.
How to support the Undocumented Worker Fund
Cosecha very proud of what we have accomplished, and we also know that the needs of our community will continue throughout and after the pandemic.
If you are able to, click here to make a donation to the Undocumented Worker Fund right now.
Here are some other steps you can take right now to support Cosecha and the Undocumented Worker Fund:
- Watch and share Silvia’s thank you video about the fund
- Share this article on social media to show your support for the Undocumented Worker Fund and encourage others to donate
- Check out our list of other COVID-19 funds for undocumented immigrants
- Make a one-time or a recurring donation to Cosecha’s general organizing program
