top of page

Everybody In:
A People’s Platform for Relief, Recovery, and Transformation 

ICIRR COVID-19 Demands 

​

The COVID-19 pandemic put the systemic failures of our health care, labor, economic and public safety infrastructure on full display. These systems were one virus away from total catastrophe. These systems, fueled by racism and white supremacy, were designed by and for a privileged set of individuals, while leaving behind masses of the most vulnerable amongst us. This is not new. Our communities have been uninsured, underpaid, and over-policed long before this crisis struck. As the faults of these systems are laid bare, we have an opportunity and responsibility to fight for a vision of a world where the most vulnerable are not left out but also given the opportunity to live lives of dignity and respect.

​

As we address the gaps that have revealed themselves and ultimately put each and everyone one of us at risk, we must take very seriously the dangers of a shortsighted and meek approach.  We have a duty to transform the broken systems for the benefit of everyone. For this reason, ICIRR’s membership is calling for a response to this crisis focusing first on immediate relief, then moving towards recovery and ultimately transformation. We must address the needs of today while we also develop solutions for tomorrow from a lens of love and racial, economic, and health equity. 

​

What follows is our vision for what local, state and the federal government can do to address relief and begin to build the foundation for recovery. We are all in this together, and when we seek relief for the people, we must mean ALL people.

​

HEALTH ACCESS FOR ALL PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF STATUS:

Ensure access to testing and high-quality, culturally appropriate care for COVID-19 and related health issues regardless of immigration status

  • Provide free COVID testing, treatment, and services for ALL, regardless of immigration status

  • Take executive action to require non-profit hospitals to provide free COVID testing and treatment to all, regardless of their insurance status

  • Make all information and materials available in multiple languages and culturally appropriate

  • Increase funding for IFRP services to support community outreach and education regarding available state resources, language access, and support for interactions with IDHS and other relevant state agencies to address COVID-19 needs

​

ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR ALL PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF STATUS:

Provide economic relief and access to safety net services for all communities regardless of immigration status

  • Include all immigrants in tax rebates and credits, unemployment insurance, paid sick and family leave, and other emergency supports

  • Suspend evictions, foreclosures, and water and other utility shutoffs

  • Create public funds to deliver quick relief of emergency money to Illinois residents who are the most vulnerable and most directly impacted by the pandemic regardless of status

  • Ensure ongoing access to safety net programs through enhanced access to applications, expedited processing, program waivers, suspension of terminations/ redeterminations, and prompt and continued payment on contracts for community organizations

  • Increase funding for Immigrant Family Resource Program services to support community outreach and education regarding available state resources, language access, and support for interactions with IDHS and other relevant state agencies to address COVID-19 needs

  • Make all information and materials available in multiple languages and culturally appropriate

​

FREE THEM ALL: Ensure the safety of all persons in detention and incarceration, and flatten the curve

  • Release individuals in civil/ICE and criminal detention at all levels, prioritizing high-risk individuals including pregnant, elderly, or those living with chronic illness or disabilities

  • Guarantee safe conditions and provide healthcare, testing and support for all persons while they remain in detention and incarceration

​

KEEP ALL PEOPLE AWAY FROM HARM AND AWAY FROM ICE: 

Protect immigrants at risk of immigration detention

  • Halt all ICE operations and removals and collaborations between ICE and local police

  • Automatically renew DACA and TPS grants and other work permits and statuses, extend deadlines, and waive requirements affected by USCIS closures

  • End over-policing and over-criminalization that could result in immigrants being routed into ICE proceedings

​

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND AGENCIES SHOULD ALSO

  • Denounce anti-Asian racism and develop and publicize infrastructure to report hate crimes

  • Extend response time for the 2020 Census to help ensure that immigrant and other Hard to Count communities are accurately counted

bottom of page