Thread by @Documentedny

So, Gov. Cuomo listened to the undocumented workers calling for emergency relief aid. But, he hasn't learned from past mistakes, activists say.

Here's what's wrong. 🧵 THREAD
documentedny.com/2021/04/02/cuo…

Cuomo wants to distribute the proposed #ExcludedWorkerFund based on what proof-of-employment documentation a worker could provide.

Undocumented people having to provide pay stubs or bank statements to access emergency cash? What could go wrong?

documentedny.com/2021/04/02/cuo…

We've seen this before.

When NY announced rental relief aid, tenant organizers saw red flags. The financial requirements were too stringent and the required paperwork too burdensome — and undocumented renters would almost certainly be left behind.

documentedny.com/2020/12/02/imm…

The state had to go back and reopen the application period for rental relief aid — this time with laxer requirements. New York distributed less than 40% of the original $100 million fund.

📍Collaboration with @THECITYNY
documentedny.com/2020/11/15/why…

So, as NY works to finalize the budget and funding for undocumented workers, advocates fear they'll have to face the same barriers.

“How, being a street vendor, am I going to show what I earn?” asks a protestor on hunger strike for pandemic relief. ⬇️
documentedny.com/2021/03/31/mee…

"The fear, obviously, is it’s going to play out like the rental relief program where leadership creates such a byzantine and high-bar system that they’re not actually going to distribute a significant amount of the money."

From @leee_harris #YNosotrosQue
documentedny.com/2021/04/02/cuo…