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ImmigrationProf Blog
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Why Millions of Americans Still Can’t Get Coronavirus Relief Funds

By immigrationprof

Wright

Roy Wright’s family was excluded from COVID-19 relief payments from the federal government, even though he is an American citizen, because his wife was listed with her taxpayer identification number on their tax return. Rosem Morton for The Marshall Project
 

The CARES Act excluded undocumented immigrants and their families from receiving federal assistance in the wake of the pandemic, leaving about 5.1 million U.S. citizens or permanent resident immigrants without the $1,200 per tax payer and $500 for each dependent child that other families received, writes Julia Preston for The Marshall Project. Roy Wright of Baltimore is one citizen who was denied funds because of his wife’s immigration status — leaving him struggling to support a family of six children, including a son with mental disabilities, while his car wash business is on the brink of closure. Wright says the government is punishing him and his family: “I’m an American. I don’t understand why I can’t get my stimulus because I married the woman who I love.”

KJ

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