Murphy says New Jersey will replenish fund for immigrant workers

Gov. Phil Murphy announced Thursday he will replenish the $40 million fund created for workers who were excluded from COVID-19 relief aid, a move that comes a week after the state said 85% of the fund had been redirected to state payroll expenses.

Immigrant activists celebrated news of additional funds for the state’s 460,000 undocumented immigrants — and an extended deadline for them to file for the aid — but remain critical of the administration’s handling of the matter. A four-week extension and minor changes to the application process won’t be enough to help a marginalized population that largely hasn’t received a cent in direct federal or state aid, they said.

Activists also believe immigrants are being blamed for what they believe are the administration’s failures.

“The Murphy administration and Department of Human Services, it’s their responsibility to make this fund accessible to the community. It’s not the responsibility of this community or the fault of people living in the community. If we don’t see more people applying and being approved, then my read is nothing has changed,” said Jorge Torres of the National Day Laborers Organizing Network.

Murphy announced the replenishment and month-long extension on WNYC Thursday, days before the deadline to apply for the pared-down relief fund.

Read more: https://newjerseymonitor.com/2022/01/28/murphy-says-n-j-will-replenish-fund-for-immigrant-workers/