Question

The crisis has prompted the federal government to offer financial assistance to both individuals and businesses. For example, Congress has agreed to send direct money to people. However, this aid is largely not available to undocumented immigrants. The state of California decided to make aid available to undocumented immigrants. Below, California Governor Gavin Newsom explains his decision. "Our diverse communities in the State of California include our immigrant communities. I don’t know if many people know this, but it’s a remarkable thing. One half of our children in the State of California are born to at least one member of their family that is an immigrant, one half...This is a state where 27% of us are foreign born... And regardless of your status, documented or undocumented, there are people in need. This is a state that steps up always to support those in need regardless of status. 10% of California’s workforce is undocumented, 10%. Any over-representation of that workforce is undocumented in the areas that are so essential to meeting the needs of tens of millions of California’s today in the healthcare sector, in the agriculture and food sector, in the manufacturing and logistics sector, and in the construction sector. There’s an over-representation of people without documentation. By the way, paying just last year over two and a half billion dollars of local and state taxes. Those are individuals that do not benefit from the PUA program, don’t benefit from the UI, the unemployment insurance benefit program, don’t benefit from the stimulus that was just signed by the president…" -Gavin Newsom, April 15 briefing on Coronavirus What claim is Gavin Newsom supporting in this address?

a. Undocumented immigrants should not receive financial aid.
b. California's workforce is predominantly foreign-born.
c. California supports those in need regardless of immigration status.
d. The federal government's aid programs are sufficient for California.

Answer 1

California Governor Gavin Newsom's statement supports the claim that the state provides aid to those in need without discrimination based on immigration status, acknowledging the significant contributions and presence of undocumented immigrants in California's economy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Governor Gavin Newsom's address supports the claim that California supports those in need regardless of immigration status. The governor emphasizes the integral role of undocumented immigrants in the state's economy and society, accounting for 10% of the workforce and contributing substantially through taxes to state and local services.

He outlines the sectors where undocumented immigrants are over-represented, such as healthcare, agriculture, and construction, and notes their lack of benefits from federal aid programs due to their immigration status.

This statement accompanies a broader context of ongoing debates and legislation over immigration policy, reflecting California's unique approach to the well-being of immigrant populations within their jurisdiction.