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How California's expansion of health coverage is affecting low-income undocumented immigrants

Jan 8, 2024
The eligibility expansion benefits the immigrants but may also bring savings to the entire system.
In California, all low-income undocumented immigrants are now eligible for coverage under the state’s version of Medicaid. Some of that expansion expense may bring savings elsewhere.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

In some states, undocumented students miss out on in-state tuition

Apr 19, 2023
In Indiana, an undocumented student might pay almost $17,000 more per year.
Ivy Tech Community College student Renee Contreras sits inside the school’s Center for Intercultural Excellence in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Monday, March 20, 2023.
Elizabeth Gabriel

Some undocumented immigrants aren't getting their child tax credit payments

Sep 29, 2021
The people who most need the aid “have to jump the most hurdles to get it,” says Chabeli Carrazana, economy reporter at the 19th.
The overworked IRS is grappling with the disbursement of child tax credit payments, reporter Chabeli Carrazana says.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

New York creates fund for undocumented workers

Apr 12, 2021
COVID-19 has disproportionately affected many groups, including undocumented immigrants. Lawmakers want them to be compensated.
Many jobs often done by undocumented immigrants, such as construction and food service, were cut back during the pandemic.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

How roadmap to citizenship would affect unauthorized immigrants and the economy

Feb 18, 2021
New immigration bill would reform family-based immigration and visa programs and provide protections from exploitation.
The new immigration bill includes protections for immigrant workers against exploitation. Above, marchers calling for economic relief and immigration reform in New York City in January.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Undocumented workers who lost restaurant jobs struggle to get relief

Feb 18, 2021
We hear from one line cook who lost his job when the pandemic hit and has since been unable to find another restaurant job.
Perhaps no group is more in need than restaurant workers. Many of them are undocumented, and were left out of CARES Act relief.
Volha Shakhava via Getty Images

With no federal aid, undocumented immigrants look to states, philanthropy for support

May 1, 2020
California will start taking applications in May for cash benefits.
Even though undocumented workers pay taxes, they're not eligible for federal public benefits.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

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Day laborers in Southern California struggle as work dries up due to COVID-19

Apr 24, 2020
Some workers are organizing to hand out food and supplies to members of their community in crisis.
This sign encourages potential employers and workers to congregate at the Pasadena Community Job Center, run by the National Day Laborer Organizing Network. But the Center closed in March.
Paulina Velasco

The economic impact of low college enrollment by undocumented students

Jul 11, 2019
Nearly 100,000 undocumented students graduate from high schools across the U.S. each year. Only a fraction enroll in college.
This student, an undocumented immigrant in San Jose, California, is heading off to college. Counselors say other students without legal status see no reason to go on to higher education because their job opportunities are limited.
Farida Jhabvala Romero/KQED

For one immigrant who returned to Mexico, a long road to opportunity

Mar 20, 2019
In 2010, shortly after Arizona had passed the controversial immigration law known as Senate Bill 1070, Jessica Gonzalez was riding a bus through downtown Phoenix when it passed a crowds of protesters and counter-protesters. Gonzalez remembers being the only person with brown skin on the bus. When the protesters spotted her through the window, she […]
Jessica Gonzalez, an immigrant who grew up in Arizona, returned to Mexico after the signing of sweeping immigration law known as SB 1070.
Jorge Valencia for Marketplace