July 31, 2020 IN: Education, Health, Immigration, National, Press Room
Senate HEALS Act Provides Little Relief or Protections for Southeast Asian Americans
COVID-19 relief bill also increases Border Patrol funding
Washington, DC – SEARAC rejects the Health; Economic assistance; Liability protection; and Schools Act (HEALS Act). Unveiled Monday by Senate Republican leadership, the HEALS Act falls far short of the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act passed by the House of Representatives in May.
Specifically, the HEALS Act continues to exclude millions of individuals living in mixed immigration status households from receiving economic relief, increasing growing financial hardship for more than 100,000 undocumented Southeast Asian Americans. The HEALS Act also includes significant funding for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and legal protections for businesses and schools that are reopening during the pandemic while decreasing overall relief and support for Americans.
“Southeast Asian American families and the American public deserve better from Senate leadership. Our communities and America are in urgent need of robust access to health care, proper unemployment and eviction relief, increased public education support, and financial support for everyone,” said Quyen Dinh, executive director of SEARAC. “Instead, Senate leadership chose to prioritize legal protections for corporations and increased funding to CBP despite its agents’ ongoing violation of protestors’ rights in Portland. SEARAC rejects the HEALS Act and urges senators to instead focus on drafting new legislation that actually provides Americans with relief. We remain committed to working with our community partners and congressional champions to push for a coronavirus relief bill that helps all Americans.”
ACTION ALERT: Take a few minutes to call or email your senator NOW
1. Call the US Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak with your Senate member. You can also click here to find the direct lines to your senator.
Here’s what you can say: “Hi, my name is ______ and I am a constituent of Congressmember ____. I am calling to urge you to reject the HEALS Act. The HEALS Act falls far short of the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act passed by the House of Representatives in May, and constituents like myself are in dire need of new legislation that provides all Americans with immediate and comprehensive relief. If the HEALS Act is passed without considerations for its exclusion of immigrant communities, millions of hardworking and valuable members of our society will be harmed, including hundreds of thousands of Southeast Asian Americans. Please be a voice of leadership, and take action toward drafting new legislation that provides all Americans the necessary and comprehensive relief that will strengthen our country during this time. Thank you.“
2. Find your legislator’s email here.
Dear Senator ________,
I write to ask you to reject the HEALS Act. The HEALS Act falls far short of the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act passed by the House of Representatives in May, and constituents like myself are in need of new legislation that provides all Americans with urgent and comprehensive relief. If the HEALS Act is passed without considerations for its exclusionary impact, millions of hardworking and valuable members of our society will be harmed, including hundreds of thousands of Southeast Asian Americans. Our communities and America are in urgent need of robust access to health care, proper unemployment and eviction relief, increased public education support, and financial support for everyone. Please be a voice of leadership, and take action toward drafting a coronavirus relief bill that provides all Americans the necessary and comprehensive relief that will strengthen, not harm, our families and communities during this time. I urge you to reject the HEALS Act. Thank you for taking the time to read my email.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
