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Statement

Leading Moms Group Urges Speedy Passage of the Coronavirus Immigrant Families Protection Act, Calling It ‘Legislation Our Nation Needs Now’

April 8, 2020
Health Care, Immigration

Lisa Lederer, 202/371-1996

Statement of leaders of MomsRising, an online and on-the-ground organization of more than one million mothers and their families, on the introduction of the Coronavirus Immigrant Families Protection Act in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives:

“The ways our lawmakers have excluded immigrant families from health care and other essential services during the Trump administration has been both cruel and counterproductive. It is more evident than ever during this pandemic that families, communities, and our country are stronger and safer when every person, including all those in vulnerable communities, have access to health coverage and care. That is why America’s moms commend U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Representatives Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Lou Correa (D-Calif.) and Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), and all the cosponsors, for introducing the Coronavirus Immigrant Families Protection Act, which would help make critical health services and resources available to all people in this country.

“This legislation would suspend policies that discourage immigrant families from accessing health care and other essential services until 60 days after the emergency ends; ensure access to COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccines for all through Medicaid; expand the CDC’s language access programs; and codify access to coronavirus relief measures for those in immigrant and other vulnerable communities.

“Most of us are scared, for good reason. But we will pull through this by pulling together. When we support the Coronavirus Immigrant Families Protection Act, we say ‘no’ to those who want to divide us and instead commit to ensuring that everyone can access health care. It’s time to stand with and for each other, across our differences and against anyone who wants to divide us. This is legislation our nation needs now.”

--Statement of Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, executive director and CEO, MomsRising

“Immigrants have answered the call to help during the coronavirus emergency, from staffing our hospitals to providing home care to harvesting food to working in our grocery stores. Yet hardworking immigrants who are on the front lines of fighting this virus were excluded from the CARES Act. It’s time to remedy that and to ensure that immigrants can receive the health care and economic support everyone needs. Passage of the Coronavirus Immigrant Families Protection Act will do that and its passage should be a high priority for every member of Congress.

“This pandemic does not discriminate based on immigration status, but for too long too many of our lawmakers have. It’s time we recognize that each person’s wellness depends on all of us. Whether it’s people with chronic health conditions or those who are homeless, our undocumented neighbors or those in detention, we must ensure we can all access the health care and resources we need. Our country will be stronger when we leave no community behind.”

--Statement of Donna Norton, executive vice president, MomsRising

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.