NJ Hispanic Chamber Of Commerce Supports COVID Hunger Strikers

NEWARK, NJ — Yes, immigrants do pay taxes in New Jersey. And an estimated 500,000 undocumented residents in the state and their families deserve coronavirus relief too, advocates say.

On Wednesday, representatives from the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey joined a rally on Clifford Street in Newark. The chamber members were there to lend support to a coalition of essential workers, who have been hunger striking for pandemic aid under the “Recovery For All” and “Fast For Relief” banners.

The hunger strikers are calling on Gov. Phil Murphy and the state Legislature to create a fund that would provide $600 weekly payments to immigrant workers who aren’t eligible for other stimulus aid.

According to advocacy group Make the Road New Jersey, despite “significant unexpected revenue” in the state budget, immigrant workers and others left behind from relief “haven’t received a penny” in unemployment or stimulus, despite contributing more than $1 billion to the unemployment insurance system over the past 10 years, and paying $1.6 billion annually in federal, state and local taxes.

“For more than one year, we have been excluded from any form of aid, despite the contributions we have paid to our state’s economy,” said Hilda Mera, who owns the auto repair shop that hosted Wednesday’s rally.

“I’m calling on Governor Murphy and our state legislature to provide economic relief,” Mera said. “Not just for small businesses but also for essential immigrant workers who have been the backbone of keeping our state open during the pandemic.”

“Immigrants are an important engine for our economy in the Garden State,” agreed chamber chairman Luis De La Hoz.

“We account for 50 percent of all ‘Main Street’ businesses,” De La Hoz said. “There are over 120,000 Latino-owned businesses that contribute $20 billion annually to New Jersey’s economy. When the backbone of our economy suffers, we all lose.”

“Gov. Murphy must step up to provide aid to excluded immigrant workers, business owners, and their families so we can all survive the pandemic,” De La Hoz added.

• See related article: NJ Latino Groups Reach 200K Voters With COVID-19 Relief Campaign
• See related article: NJ Advocates Demand COVID Aid For Immigrants, Find Ally In Church
• See related article: New Jersey Immigrants Deserve Coronavirus Aid, 100 Teachers Say

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