Governor Announces $2 million for Immigrant Relief!

We are so excited to share this news: Vermont Governor Phil Scott announced his budget proposal on August 18th – and included $2 million for the Immigrant Families Coronavirus Relief Fund!

We posted on our website last week asking our supporters to make a call to the Governor. Within minutes his voicemail filled up, but supporters kept calling and sending emails throughout the day, telling Governor Scott to fund this necessary initiative and support immigrant families left out of the federal stimulus. (In case you missed the post, you can read more about the campaign – and our own solidarity fund – here)

The Governor's budget proposal is the result of months of campaigning – led by immigrant farmworkers –  that built a wide base of support and demonstrated the dire need for Vermont to include everyone in its response to the pandemic. This campaign has been propelled forward by countless community groups, the labor movement, agricultural organizations like Rural Vermont and NOFA-VT, and thousands of Vermonters like you. Together we have said loud and clear that #ImmigrantsAreEssential, not just during a pandemic but always.

This is a huge step forward, but the fight isn't over yet. The Governor's proposal now heads to the legislature; over the next several weeks, state senators and representatives will debate the proposal before approving a final budget.

We need to tell legislators that the Governor's $2 million is a good start but isn't enough! The legislature must fully fund the Immigrant Families Coronavirus Relief Fund – $5 million in total – in the FY2021 budget.

The House and Senate Appropriations Committees are meeting jointly next week to hear public testimony on the Governor's budget proposal. Immigrant farmworkers will be testifying; will you join them?

Sign up here to testify over zoom on Thursday 8/27 5-6pm or Friday 8/29 1-2pm. Can't testify during those times? Follow the link to learn how to submit written testimony!

Together we will make sure that Vermont includes immigrant families in the state's response to this crisis.