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A Newsletter on
Public Policy and Resources
Solidarity, Community, and Action
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| Welcome!
About twice a month the Undocumented Student Program will send you a newsletter. This newsletter's focus is on public policy and advocacy. Through the content of this newsletter, you will have an opportunity to learn about the policies changing at the local, state and national levels that affect the immigrant community. We will also share ways to advocate alongside the undocumented and larger immigrant community both on campus and within the DMV area. We hope you enjoy the information and resources and that you can feel the resilience found within the immigrant community. Please take a look at and share the following resources and encourage others to sign up for our newsletter.
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Free Them All campaign by Detention Watch Network and Safe and Together Campaign.
- The Free Them All campaign demands the release of all people in detention centers across the country who are currently under the custody of Immigrations Customs Enforcement (ICE) during COVID-19. To learn more and to engage in this campaign check out this website and the images below.
- The Safe and Together campaign uplifts that #COVID-19 makes no distinction between if you are a U.S. Citizen or a refugee seeking asylum at the U.S. border to save your life. Shutting our doors in the face of asylum seekers who need help is wrong. There is no adequate medical care and no luxury to social distance. Families should be #SafeandTogether #RestoreAsylumNow. To engage check out the following toolkit and click on the images below.
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You will find the information in this newsletter in the following order:
- Public Policy - CARE Act, Public Charge, DACA, and Stay at Home Order
- Know Your Rights
- Immigration Legal Aid
- COVID-19 Resources for Undocumented Immigrants
- Events and Programs
- Self-Care Practices
- Take Action
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CARE Act
(Stimulus Check)
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The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service announced on 3/31/2020 that the distribution of stimulus checks would begin in the next three weeks and will be distributed automatically, with no action required for most people.
Who is eligible?
- People are only eligible if they filed taxes using a social security number
Who is excluded?
- People who filed taxes using an ITIN number
- People who are part of families with mixed immigration statuses (i.e. children with undocumented parents, DACA recipients and or U.S. citizens with undocumented parents).
- High school and college students who filed as dependents under parent/guardian tax returns.
How does it work?
- Tax filers with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns will receive the full payment.
- For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 above the $75,000/$150,000 thresholds.
For more information, check out the following resources:
- Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center
- IRS - Government
- Miami Herald
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Public Charge came into effect on February 24, 2020. Read the images below for a general overview of Public Charge and click on them for more information.
You can also find more information: https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/
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Public Charge and COVID-19
- USCIS encourages all those with symptoms that resemble COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath) to seek necessary medical treatment or preventative services.
- COVID-19 testing, prevention, or treatment would NOT be used against immigrants in a public charge test and would not be restricted access for these services.
For more information: https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/
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You can still renew your DACA and you should if it expires during 2020.
Regardless of USCIS offices being closed during COVID-19, USCIS will still be processing DACA applications by using previous renewal application biometrics. If you need help in regards to information or need help paying for your renewal - $495, please click on the images below.
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The order states that no Maryland residents should not leave their homes unless it is for an essential job or for an essential reason, such as obtaining food or medicine, seeking urgent medical attention, or for other necessary purchases. Only essential businesses are allowed to remain open in Maryland, and those businesses must make every effort to scale down their operations in order to reduce the numbers of required staff.
Out-of-state Travel: No Marylander should be traveling outside of the state unless such travel is absolutely necessary. Those who have traveled outside the state should self-quarantine for 14 days.
Penalties: This order is to be enforced by state and local law enforcement. Knowing and willfully violating this order is a misdemeanor, and on conviction, offenders may be subject to imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding $5,000, or both.
For more information, we recommend the following:
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Regardless of your immigration status, everyone has constitutional rights!
In this current political climate, it is important that as a community we rise together. One way of doing that is by staying engaged and protecting yourself, your peers, family, and community by knowing your rights!
Note: The University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD) does not have a relationship with Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE). If you see any ICE officials on/near campus, please contact UMPD at 301-405-3555.
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UMD Spring 2020 Immigration Attorney Appointment Schedule
Appointments are available for graduate and undergraduate students virtually
between 10 AM - 1:45 PM on the following dates:
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Make your free appointment as soon as you can! For more information check out the flyer below and the Graduate Student Legal Aid Office website.
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COVID-19
Undocumented/Immigrant Friendly Resources
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COVID-19 Relief Funds Open to Undocumented Immigrants
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"As an undocumented student, I think that it is important to recognize the resources that are available for me during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Informed Immigrants organization along with many others created a guide with resources and general information for our undocumented families to stay aware of what is happening in the State and in our University."
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BE COUNTED - SUBMIT YOUR CENSUS
- You can submit your census by computer, phone, and mail. For more information about the Census through the lens of an immigrant go to wecountcensus.com.
Does the 2020 Census ask about citizenship status?
NO. The 2020 Census does not ask whether you or anyone in your home is a U.S. citizen. Additionally, federal law prohibits the Bureau from releasing information identifying individuals to the public and other federal agencies, including ICE.
FILL OUT YOUR TAXES
- The IRS extended its federal timeline to file taxes and pay due income tax until July 15th. The state of Maryland also extended its filing deadline to July 15th. For more information go to the IRS website.
DONATE
- UndocuBlack Network Fundraiser - The mission at this moment is to help the UndocuBlack community access the information and resources needed to get through this moment as best they can. If you are able to donate, please do so, thank you.
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Over the last month, there has been a lot of things shifting as they relate to the lived experiences of our undocumented immigrant community. We recommend signing up for the following organization's newsletters to get information about webinars available to you for free to continue to learn about the issues affecting undocumented and immigrant students and the larger community.
- Immigrants Rising- https://immigrantsrising.org/
- UndocuBlack Network- https://undocublack.org/
- NAKASEC- https://nakasec.org/
- Informed Immigrant- https://www.informedimmigrant.com
- Presidents Alliance on Immigration and Higher Education- https://www.presidentsimmigrationalliance.org/
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