CONTACTS: Alia El-Assar | (202) 938-6511| aelassar@americanbic.biz Fernanda Durand | (214) 402-0186 | fernanda@communicationsshop.us

GOP Donors Woody Hunt and Al Cárdenas Call for Congressional Action to Give U.S. Citizens Equal Benefits Under the Law

During Press Conference with U.S. Citizen Voters in Battleground States of CO, SC, TX, WI, Demand Republican Senators Include Mixed-Status Families in the Next Stimulus Package DALLAS – Today, business leaders and GOP donors Woody Hunt of the Texas-based Hunt Companies Inc., and Al Cárdenas, Former Chairman of the Florida Republican Party, joined U.S. citizens in mixed-status families for a press conference hosted by the 91̽»¨ (ABIC) to demand that Congress eliminate the GOP marriage penalty found in the CARES Act, which excluded 1.7 million 91̽»¨s from receiving stimulus checks. The full recording of the press conference can be accessed here.

“As a Republican, I was deeply disappointed when I learned that this exclusion wasn’t an oversight, but something that some Republicans insisted on. This is not a time for political grandstanding. Too many 91̽»¨ families need financial assistance right now, and excluding them from COVID-relief will slow and complicate our road to economic recovery,â€� said Woody L. Hunt, Hunt Companies Inc. Board of Directors Senior Chairman & ABIC Co-Chair.

“Congress’ inaction over the past months has hurt our communities, our small businesses and local economies, and our nation’s ability to recover. These families can’t wait until after the election. They need relief now. It is immoral to punish them for who they love. Moreover, it is politically unwise to isolate voting taxpayers so close to the election, especially in battleground states like Florida. I urge our elected officials to take heed and act now before it is too late,� said Al Cárdenas, Former Chairman of the Florida Republican Party & ABIC Co-Chair.

Wisconsin resident Jessie Alarcón was among the U.S. citizens who shared their stories. A mother who was forced to take leave from work to care for her special needs son after his school closed, Alarcón became emotional as she delivered her testimony on the hardships of being excluded from the federal relief she so desperately needed after her husband lost his job due to the pandemic. “I cannot apply for food stamps for my U.S.-born kids because it would negatively impact their dad’s immigration case and make us a ‘public charge’. Because of this, we get our groceries from local food drives or food pantries. We are at the end of our rope.� Alarcón went on to emphasize that her vote will hinge on the outcome of the next federal relief package: “I know it is election time and that I live in a swing state because every day I am contacted with ads, calls, and text messages from candidates. I ask myself. If they want my vote, why are they discriminating against my family? Why are they leaving us behind?�

Patty Ramirez, a Texas voter who has been struggling with mental health issues due to the pressure of providing for two households during a pandemic while her husband is stuck in Mexico waiting for his immigration interview, echoed Alarcon’s sentiment, stating, “I thought that a stimulus check from our government would alleviate my worries, but when I found out that I did not qualify for a payment, I felt like an outcast in my own country. Even though I’ve done everything that’s required of me and followed all the rules, I feel like a second-class citizen.�

The press conference also featured testimony from U.S. citizens Michelle Leyva of Colorado and Minerva Perez of South Carolina, and culminated in an open forum for attendees who were also denied stimulus checks due to the immigration status of their spouses to share their personal stories, and included remarks from U.S. citizens in North Carolina, Virginia, and Texas. Listen to their stories here.

With six weeks left until Election Day, ABIC is calling on Congress to stop stalling and urgently pass a comprehensive stimulus package that includes mixed-status families. “Denying U.S. citizens and their children essential relief during a pandemic is morally wrong and economically harmful. I urge our leaders in Congress to deliver a COVID relief package that lifts up all 91̽»¨ families who need help in these uncertain times,â€� said Hunt.

The 91̽»¨ (ABIC) promotes commonsense immigration reform that advances economic competitiveness, provides companies with both the high-skilled and low-skilled talent they need, and allows the integration of immigrants into our economy as consumers, workers, entrepreneurs, and citizens.

The post GOP Donors Woody Hunt and Al Cárdenas Call for Congressional Action to Give U.S. Citizens Equal Benefits Under the Law appeared first on 91̽»¨.

CONTACTS:

Juan Carlos Cerda | jccerda@americanbic.biz | (214) 482-8698

Rebecca Shi | rshi@americanbic.biz | (312) 576-8032

ABIC Applauds House Problem Solvers Caucus for Including Stimulus Checks for Mixed Status Families in Latest COVID Relief Proposal

(Chicago, IL) – This morning, the House Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of 50 House lawmakers made up of 25 Republicans and 25 Democrats, announced a bipartisan coronavirus relief plan that includes $1,200 stimulus payments for mixed-status families.

In a press conference hosted by the Caucus, Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) stated, “We support additional direct stimulus checks to the 91̽»¨ people, $1,200 again for adults, $500 for dependent children and adults. With a fix for those who were previously left out, including families with mixed US citizen- non citizen status. Recognizing that part of the fold in providing the direct checks to ensure that people can make it through this tough time.â€�

The announcement comes on the same day a diverse group of organizations including the 91̽»¨, National Immigrant Law Center, CHIRLA, SEIU, FIRM, and others released a video calling on Senate leaders to support a comprehensive federal relief package that includes the mixed-status and immigrant families who have been hit hardest by the pandemic, but were left out of previous proposals.

ABIC applauds the House Problem Solvers Caucus for supporting U.S. citizens who were unfairly left out of critical relief, including Lacey Chontal, a citizen and VA employee who did not receive a $1,200 stimulus check because her spouse provided an ITIN on their joint tax returns. Lacey represents just one of 1.7 million U.S. citizens who were left behind by a discriminatory provision in the CARES Act, and who would benefit from the 91̽»¨ Citizen Coronavirus Relief Act, a bill introduced by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) that aims to eliminate the GOP marriage penalty on mixed-status families but that was not included in the Senate relief proposal released by Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in July.

ABIC calls on the leadership from both parties to put partisan gamesmanship aside and come together in support of a COVID relief package that will support 91̽»¨ families and small businesses from all walks of life, and put our nation on the path to recovery.

The 91̽»¨ (ABIC) promotes commonsense immigration reform that advances economic competitiveness, provides companies with both the high-skilled and low-skilled talent they need, and allows the integration of immigrants into our economy as consumers, workers, entrepreneurs, and citizens.

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CONTACTO: Alia El-Assar | aelassar@americanbic.biz

#####Decenas de Pequeñas Empresas y Asociaciones Comerciales de Florida aplauden al Senador Marco Rubio por su liderazgo en la recuperación económica y la inclusión de inmigrantes durante la pandemia ABIC insta al senador Rubio a presionar al líder McConnell para que todos los ciudadanos estadounidenses sean incluidos en el próximo paquete de estímulo

(Miami, FL) – Hoy, el Senador de los Estados Unidos Marco Rubio se unió a docenas de propietarios de pequeñas empresas de todo el estado de Florida que recibieron préstamos a través del Programa Federal de Protección de Cheques de Pago (PPP, por sus siglas en inglés) con la asistencia de IMPAC Fund en una  para compartir sus experiencias durante la pandemia, y discutir el impulso del Senador para asegurar que los ciudadanos estadounidenses en familias de estatus mixtos no se les niegue una vez más los controles de estímulo en la próxima ronda de alivio federal de COVID. Escuche los comentarios del senador Rubio a partir de las 08:03 .

“El Programa de Protección de Pago ofreció un salvavidas crítico a las pequeñas empresas y sus empleados en medio de una pandemia global�, dijo el Senador Rubio. “Estoy agradecido a ABIC por su compromiso y apoyo, e inspirado por la persistencia y dedicación de aquellos propietarios de pequeñas empresas con los que hablé hoy. Desafortunadamente, la crisis no ha terminado, por lo que debemos hacer más para evitar un daño profundo y sistémico a nuestra economía y a los mercados laborales. Confío en que, en última instancia, encontraremos un acuerdo y ayudaremos a preservar y fortalecer las pequeñas empresas de nuestra nación. Y sigo esperando que también aclaremos en la ley que todos los ciudadanos estadounidenses, independientemente de con quién estén casados, son elegibles para los controles federales de estímulo. No sólo es justo y moralmente correcto, sino que es una infusión directa a la economía local que beneficia tanto a las empresas como a los ciudadanos.�

Miren Oca, Fundadora y Propietaria de la escuela de natación Ocaquatics en Miami, fue una de las propietarias de negocios que compartieron sus historias personales con el Senador. “Estamos muy agradecidos de haber recibido fondos de PPP con la ayuda de IMPAC. Pudimos mantener a los 126 miembros de nuestro equipo empleados durante este tiempo,� dijo Oca. Ella continuó expresando la necesidad de un alivio adicional para las pequeñas empresas, sin un final claro de la pandemia a la vista.

La escuela de natación de Oca representa a una de las más de 33 empresas que emplean en total más de 1,000 personas en Florida y Carolina del Sur que aseguraron un total de más de $4.5 millones de dólares en préstamos PPP perdonables gracias a la asistencia técnica proporcionada por IMPAC Fund, el capítulo de Florida de la Coalición 91̽»¨a de Empresas Pro-Inmigración (ABIC). La mayoría de las empresas ayudadas por IMPAC eran de propietarios latinos y/o negros y/o inmigrantes. Escuche más de pequeñas empresas y organizaciones sin fines de lucro asistidas en PPP por IMPAC .

Mario Murgado, CEO de Brickell Motors y miembro de la Junta Directiva de IMPAC, expresó su gratitud al senador Rubio por defender las políticas para ayudar a los más vulnerables en su estado, incluyendo a los propietarios de pequeñas empresas desatendidos bajo PPP y votar a ciudadanos estadounidenses que quedaron fuera del alivio crítico de COVID debido a a quienes aman a través de la Ley de Alivio Coronavirus Ciudadano Estadounidense.

El proyecto de ley presentado por el senador Rubio y el Senador Tillis (R-NC) eliminaría la penalidad de matrimonio encontrada en el proyecto CARES, que impidió que 81,000 contribuyentes y votantes de Florida y 147,000 niños ciudadanos estadounidenses de familias de estatus mixto recibieran pagos federales de estímulo, basados en datos del Instituto de Política Migratoria. La propuesta, sin embargo, fue excluida de $1 billón del proyecto HEALS del líder del senado McConnell.

La exclusión de casi 228,000 ciudadanos de Florida de un alivio crítico resulta en una pérdida estimada combinada de $341.4 millones para la economía local a medida que los casos COVID-19 se elevan a récords y el estado probablemente enfrenta otra ronda de cierres.

Entre los excluidos en Florida se encuentra Dr. Kim Liu, una ciudadana estadounidense, votante y dueña de un negocio casada con una persona inmigrante. “Yo contaba con el cheque de estímulo de $1200 para mí como ciudadana estadounidense,� dijo Liu. “Acabo de enterarme de que la razón por la que no recibí un cheque es porque presenté mis taxes con mi cónyuge quien usó un número ITIN porque no tiene un número de seguro social todavía. Creo que todos los ciudadanos estadounidenses deberían poder acceder a estos recursos críticos durante esta crisis económica.�

Negar a los ciudadanos estadounidenses el acceso al estímulo económico es moralmente incorrecto, económicamente dañino y políticamente imprudente para los senadores republicanos en los principales estados en contienda. Liu estuvo de acuerdo con este sentimiento: “Como votante, recordaré el arduo trabajo (del senador Rubio) en la defensa de familias como la mía, y recordaré a los que no lo hicieron, también�.

±«²Ô²¹Ìý reciente realizada por Hart Research Associates encontró que sólo el 9% de los votantes registrados, incluyendo sólo el 16% de los republicanos, creen que a los estadounidenses en familias de estatus mixto se les deberían negar fondos de alivio de coronavirus.

“Pido a todos que pidan a sus senadores estadounidenses que apoyan el proyecto de ley del senador Rubio y del senador Tillis para ciudadanos estadounidenses casados con inmigrantes. Es moralmente correcto, económicamente importante y políticamente inteligente�, dijo Tony Argiz, Presidente y CEO de MBAF y miembro de la Junta Directiva de IMPAC.

IMPAC Fund y ABIC agradecen al campeón republicano del Senado Marco Rubio por su liderazgo en asegurar recursos críticos para los floridanos que más lo necesitan, así como a sus compañeros co-patrocinadores republicanos, los senadores Thom Tillis (R-NC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Steve Daines (R-MT), Susan Collins (R-MA) y Mitt Romney (R-UT). Instamos a los Senadores a seguir presionando al Líder McConnell para que incluya a todas las familias estadounidenses en el paquete de ayuda final negociado por el Congreso a través de esta propuesta de sentido común.

También pedimos al Senador Rick Scott que se una a sus colegas y actúe en el interés de sus electores y la economía de Florida apoyando la inclusión de todos los ciudadanos estadounidenses en el alivio crítico del coronavirus.

°Õ³ó±ðÌý91̽»¨ (ABIC) promotes commonsense immigration reform that advances economic competitiveness, provides 91̽»¨ companies with both the high-skilled and low-skilled talent they need, and allows the integration of immigrants into our economy as consumers, workers, entrepreneurs and citizens.

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PRESS CONTACT: Alia El-Assar | aelassar@americanbic.biz

Dozens of Florida Small 91̽»¨es & Trade Associations Applaud U.S. Senator Marco Rubio for Leadership on Economic Recovery and Immigrant Inclusion During Pandemic ABIC urges Sen. Rubio to push Leader McConnell to get all U.S. citizens included in next stimulus package

(Miami, FL) – Today,ÌýU.S. Senator Marco Rubio joined dozens small business owners from across the state of Florida who received loans via the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) with assistance from IMPAC Fund in a  to share their experiences during the pandemic, and discuss the Senator’s push to ensure U.S. citizens in mixed-status families are not yet again denied stimulus checks in the next round of federal COVID relief being negotiated in Congress. Listen to Senator Rubio’s remarks starting at 08:03 .

“The Paycheck Protection Program offered a critical lifeline to small businesses and their employees in the midst of a global pandemic,� Chairman Rubio said. “I am thankful to ABIC for their engagement and partnership, and inspired by the persistence and dedication of those small business owners I talked with today. Unfortunately, the crisis is not over, so we must do more to avoid deep, systemic damage to our economy and labor markets. I am confident that we will ultimately find agreement and help preserve and strengthen our nation’s small businesses. And I remain hopeful that we will also clarify in law that all U.S. Citizens, regardless of who they are married to, are eligible for federal stimulus checks. Not only is it fair and morally right, but it’s a direct infusion to the local economy benefiting businesses and citizens alike.�

Miren Oca, Founder and Owner of Ocaquatics swimming school in Miami, was among the business owners to share their personal stories with the Senator. “We are very grateful to have received PPP funding with the help from IMPAC Fund. We were able to keep all 126 of our team members employed during this time,� said Oca. She went on to express the need for additional small business relief, with no clear end to the pandemic in sight.

Oca’s swimming school represents one of over 33 businesses employing upwards of 1,000 individuals in Florida and South Carolina that secured a combined $4.5 million dollars in forgivable PPP loans thanks to technical assistance provided by IMPAC Fund, the Florida chapter of the 91̽»¨ (ABIC). The majority of businesses helped by IMPAC were Black and/or immigrant-owned. Hear more from small businesses and nonprofits assisted by IMPAC’s PPP TA .

Mario Murgado, CEO of Brickell Motors and IMPAC Board Member, expressed gratitude to Senator Rubio for championing policies to help the most vulnerable in his state, including underserved small business owners under PPP and voting U.S. citizens left out of critical COVID relief due to who they love via the 91̽»¨ Citizen Coronavirus Relief Act.

The bill introduced by Sen. Rubio and Sen. Tillis (R-NC) would remove the marriage penalty found in the CARES Act, which prevented 81,000 Florida taxpayers and voters and 147,000 U.S. citizen children in mixed-status families from receiving federal stimulus payments, based on data from the Migration Policy Institute. The proposal, however, was excluded from the Senate’s $1 trillion HEALS Act by Leader McConnell.

The exclusion of nearly 228,000 Florida citizens from critical relief results in a combined estimated loss of $341.4 million to the local economy as COVID-19 cases rise to record-highs and the state likely faces another round of closures.

Among those excluded in Florida is Kim Liu, a U.S. citizen, voter and business owner married to a non-citizen originally from Venezuela. “I was counting on the $1200 stimulus check for me as a U.S Citizen,� Liu said. “I just learned that the reason I did not receive a check is because my spouse, an immigrant from Venezuela, does not have a social security number yet. I believe that all U.S. citizens should be able to access these critical resources during this economic crisis.�

Denying U.S. citizens access to stimulus checks is morally wrong, economically harmful and politically foolish for Republican Senators in key battleground states. This sentiment was echoed by Liu: “As a voter, I will remember (Senator Rubio’s) hard work in advocating for families like mine, and I will remember those who didn’t, as well.�

A recent  conducted by Hart Research Associates found that just 9% of registered voters — including only 16% of Republicans—believe 91̽»¨s in mixed-status families should be denied coronavirus relief funds.

“I ask everyone to call upon your U.S. senators to support Senator Rubio and Senator Tillis’ bill for U.S. citizens married to immigrants. It is morally right, economically important and politically smart,� said Tony Argiz, Chairman and CEO of MBAF and IMPAC Board Member.

IMPAC Fund and ABIC thanks Senate Republican champion Marco Rubio for his leadership in securing critical resources for Floridians that need it the most, as well as his fellow Republican co-sponsors,ÌýSenators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Steve Daines (R-MT), Susan Collins (R-MA) and Mitt Romney (R-UT). We urge the Senators to continue pushing Leader McConnell to include all 91̽»¨ families in the final relief package negotiated by Congress through this commonsense proposal.

We also call on Senator Rick Scott to join his colleagues and act in the interest of his constituents and the Florida economy by supporting the inclusion of all U.S. citizens in critical coronavirus relief.

°Õ³ó±ðÌý91̽»¨ (ABIC) promotes commonsense immigration reform that advances economic competitiveness, provides 91̽»¨ companies with both the high-skilled and low-skilled talent they need, and allows the integration of immigrants into our economy as consumers, workers, entrepreneurs and citizens.

The post U.S. Senator Marco Rubio Joins Call with Dozens of Florida Small 91̽»¨es to Discuss Economic Recovery and Immigrant Inclusion in Federal Stimulus appeared first on 91̽»¨.

PRESS CONTACT: Alia El-Assar | aelassar@americanbic.biz

ABIC Statement on DHS Memo Outlining Rescission of DACA, in Defiance of Supreme Court Decision

(Chicago, IL) – Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a  drastically stripping protections provided under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which has allowed  undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children to lawfully work and live in the country they call home.

Per the DHS memo, USCIS will reject all pending and future initial requests for DACA and associated Employment Authorization Documents, and DACA renewal periods will be shortened from two-years to one-year, effective immediately. The memo also instructs USCIS to reject all pending and future applications for advance parole, absent exceptional circumstances.

This latest attack on the DACA Program comes just six weeks after the Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling rejecting the Trump administration’s decision to end DACA as “arbitrary and capricious�, and two weeks after a Federal Court in Maryland ordered USCIS to immediately begin processing new initial applications.

Rescinding protections for Dreamers is morally wrong, economically harmful, and politically foolish. Annually, DACA-eligible residents contribute over  to our economy. Additionally, a majority of Republicans and Trump voters believe that Dreamers should be protected according to a , including 68 percent of Republicans, 71 percent of conservatives, and 69 percent of those who voted for Trump in 2016 when he promised to deport Dreamers.

With an , including , we urge President Trump to follow the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision and call on Congress to immediately safeguard the DACA-eligible population critical to our nation’s ability to recover and rebuild post-COVID by including an extension of work authorization for DACA recipients in the next federal coronavirus stimulus bill as we work towards long-term, permanent solutions such as H.R. 6: 91̽»¨ Dream and Promise Act.

°Õ³ó±ðÌý91̽»¨ (ABIC) promotes commonsense immigration reform that advances economic competitiveness, provides 91̽»¨ companies with both the high-skilled and low-skilled talent they need, and allows the integration of immigrants into our economy as consumers, workers, entrepreneurs and citizens.

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CONTACTO DE PRENSA: Alia El-Assar | aelassar@americanbic.biz

Declaración de ABIC Sobre la Exclusión, por parte del Líder McConnell, hacia Ciudadanos Estadounidenses Casados con No Ciudadanos del Apoyo Esencial en el Paquete de Estímulo del Senado

(Chicago, IL) – Esta tarde, el líder Mitch McConnell (R-KY) publicó el HEALS Act, el paquete de ayuda al coronavirus de $1 billón, el cual excluye La Ley de Alivio al Ciudadano 91̽»¨o por el Coronavirus de los Senadores Marco Rubio (R-FL) y Thom Tillis (R-NC). Al hacerlo, los republicanos continúan manteniendo la pena incluida en el CARES Act que impide a ciudadanos estadounidenses, quienes están casados o son hijos de no ciudadanos, de obtener los cheques de estímulo federal.

“Estamos muy decepcionados de la decisión tomada por el líder McConnell de excluir la propuesta del Senador Rubio y el Senador Tillis en el paquete de ayuda al coronavirus. Castigar a ciudadanos estadounidenses con parejas o padres inmigrantes es moralmente inaceptable, económicamente devastador y políticamente tonto en un año de elecciones,� expresó John Rowe, Co-presidente de ABIC y Presidente Emérito de la Corporación Exelon. “La exclusión continua de ciudadanos estadounidenses que forman parte del electorado alejará a aquellos votantes en estados claves como Florida, Colorado, Arizona y Carolina del Norte al negarles acceso a los cheques de estímulo.�

Los ciudadanos estadounidenses y la economía local en los estados decisivos en la elección se beneficiarían del flujo de fondos generado por el pago de estímulos de la propuesta de los Senadores Rubio y Tillis, incluyendo:

• Texas: 291,000 ciudadanos estadounidenses afectados; $349.2 millones en pagos de estímulo a la economía local
• Florida: 81,000 ciudadanos; $97.2 millones a la economía local
• Carolina del Norte: 31,000 ciudadanos; $37.2 millones a la economía local
• Wisconsin: 16,000 ciudadanos; $19.2 millones a la economía local
• Colorado: 30,000 ciudadanos; $36 millones a la economía local
• Arizona: 43,000 ciudadanos; $51.6 millones a la economía local

La Coalición 91̽»¨a de Empresas Pro-Inmigración llama a los siguientes Senadores Republicanos en sus respectivos estados John Cornyn (R-TX), Rick Scott (R-FL), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Cory Gardner (R-CO), y Martha McSally (R-AZ), a unirse a sus colegas y actuar en el interés de sus constituyentes y economías estatales y apoyar a la inclusión de La Ley de Alivio al Ciudadano 91̽»¨o por el Coronavirus en el paquete de apoyo definitivo debatido por el Congreso.

ABIC agradece a los Senadores Republicanos campeones Marco Rubio (R-FL), Thom Tillis (R-NC), y Bill Cassidy (R-LA) por su liderazgo. Así mismo, aplaudimos el apoyo de la Presidenta de la Cámara Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) en la inclusión de ciudadanos estadounidenses y contribuyentes en la ayuda federal, y urgimos al Vocero y Líder Chuck Schumer (D-NY) a pelear por la inclusión de todos los ciudadanos estadounidenses en el apoyo esencial del coronavirus y que no regrese a casa sin él. La posibilidad de recuperación y de restauración de la nación después de la pandemia depende de nuestra capacidad de unión a través de líneas políticas en apoyo a soluciones sensatas que promuevan el bienestar de todos en nuestra sociedad.

Encuentra la cobertura de la campaña bipartidista para la inclusión de todos los ciudadanos estadounidenses en los cheques de estímulo federal en ,Ìý,Ìý, y , and the , Co-Presidente de ABIC y ex-presidente del Partido Republicano de Florida.

*La Coalición 91̽»¨a de Empresas Pro-Inmigración (ABIC, por sus siglas en inglés) promueve una reforma migratoria de sentido común que realiza la competitividad económica, brinda a las empresas estadounidenses el talento que necesitan, y permite la integración de los inmigrantes en nuestra economía como consumidores, trabajadores, empresarios y ciudadanos.*

The post Declaración de ABIC Sobre la Exclusión, por parte del Líder McConnell, hacia Ciudadanos Estadounidenses Casados con No Ciudadanos del Apoyo Esencial en el Paquete de Estímulo del Senado appeared first on 91̽»¨.

PRESS CONTACT: Alia El-Assar | aelassar@americanbic.biz

ABIC Statement on Leader McConnell’s Exclusion of U.S. Citizens Married to Non-Citizens from Essential Relief in Senate Stimulus Package

(Chicago, IL) – This afternoon, Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the HEALS Act, the Senate’s $1 trillion coronavirus relief package, which excludes U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) bill, the . In doing so, Republicans continue to uphold the marriage penalty found in the CARES Act, which prevents 1.7 million U.S. citizens who are married to or parented by non-citizens from receiving federal stimulus checks to weather the global COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are disappointed in Leader McConnell’s decision to exclude Senator Rubio and Senator Tillis’ proposal in the Senate’s coronavirus relief package. Punishing U.S. citizens who happen to have an immigrant spouse or parent is morally wrong, economically harmful and politically foolish in an election year,� said John Rowe, ABIC Co-Chair and Exelon Corporation Chairman Emeritus. “This continued exclusion of voting U.S. citizens is likely to alienate those voters in key battleground states like Florida, Colorado, Arizona and North Carolina by denying them access to stimulus checks.�

U.S. citizens and local economies in key battleground states stand to benefit from the influx in funds from stimulus payments under Senators Rubio and Tillis’ proposal, including:

• Texas: 291,000 affected U.S. citizens; $349.2 million in stimulus payments to local economy
• Florida: 81,000 citizens; $97.2 million to local economy
• North Carolina: 31,000 citizens; $37.2 million to local economy
• Wisconsin: 16,000 citizens; $19.2 million to local economy
• Colorado: 30,000 citizens; $36 million to local economy
• Arizona: 43,000 citizens; $51.6 million to local economy

The 91̽»¨ calls on the Republican Senators in these respective states John Cornyn (R-TX), Rick Scott (R-FL), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Cory Gardner (R-CO), and Martha McSally (R-AZ) to join their colleagues and act in the interest of their constituents and state economies by supporting the inclusion of the 91̽»¨ Citizen Coronavirus Relief Act in the final relief package negotiated by Congress.

ABIC thanks Senate Republican champions Marco Rubio (R-FL), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) for their leadership. We also applaud House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on her support for the broad inclusion of U.S. citizens and taxpayers in federal relief, and urge the Speaker and Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to fight for the inclusion of all U.S. citizens in critical coronavirus relief and not come home without it. Our nation’s ability to recover and rebuild post-COVID is dependent on our ability to come together across party lines in support of common-sense solutions that promote the well-being of everyone in our society.

Find national coverage of the bipartisan push for the inclusion of all U.S. citizens in federal stimulus checks from ,Ìý,Ìý, and , and the , ABIC Co-Chair and former Chairman of the Florida Republican Party.

°Õ³ó±ðÌý91̽»¨ (ABIC) promotes commonsense immigration reform that advances economic competitiveness, provides 91̽»¨ companies with both the high-skilled and low-skilled talent they need, and allows the integration of immigrants into our economy as consumers, workers, entrepreneurs and citizens.

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PRESS CONTACT: Alia El-Assar | aelassar@americanbic.biz

ABIC Urges US Senate to Support 24-Week PPP Extension & Forgiveness Flexibility

Yesterday, the House of Representatives . The legislation, introduced by Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) and Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), would increase the period during which small businesses are able to use Paycheck Protection Program funds and be eligible for loan forgiveness from eight weeks to 24 weeks. It would also allow firms to use a greater percentage of the loan funds on non-payroll costs and still be eligible for forgiveness. The 91̽»¨ supports these provisions and urges the Senate to follow quickly.

“A 24 week extension and flexibility on overhead will be an enormous help for millions of small businesses and growers,� said Paul Dimare, President and CEO of DiMare Fresh and ABIC Co-Chair. “I urge the Senate to approve this quickly so our small businesses and growers are able to pay their workers and keep their doors open.�

Yesterday’s House vote came on the same day that U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza  of a new $10 billion set-aside in funds through the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), a win for underserved and minority-owned small businesses and nonprofits across the country, including businesses of color, sole proprietors, and growers, thanks to the leadership of Senators Marco Rubio, Ben Cardin and Chuck Schumer. To date, the Paycheck Protection Program has helped over 50 million 91̽»¨ workers stay connected to their jobs and more than 4 million small businesses get much-needed relief.

°Õ³ó±ðÌý91̽»¨ (ABIC) promotes commonsense immigration reform that advances economic competitiveness, provides 91̽»¨ companies with both the high-skilled and low-skilled talent they need, and allows the integration of immigrants into our economy as consumers, workers, entrepreneurs and citizens.

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PRESS CONTACT: Alia El-Assar | aelassar@americanbic.biz

ABIC applauds Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin & Small 91̽»¨ Champions on $10 billion PPP Set-Aside for CDFIs to Reach Underserved & Small 91̽»¨es of Color

Coalition continues to push for MDI inclusion, extension of the processing period to Dec. 31st, the move from 8 weeks to 24 weeks for forgiveness, and automatic forgiveness for smaller loans

(Chicago, IL) – In a win for underserved and minority-owned small businesses and nonprofits across the nation, today U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza  a new $10 billion set-aside in funds through the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for  in order to increase access to the Program for businesses of color, sole proprietors, growers, and other underserved communities. To date the  has helped over 50 million 91̽»¨ workers stay connected to their jobs and more than 4 million small businesses get much-needed relief.

The 91̽»¨ (ABIC) thanks our small business congressional champions that made this victory possible, including Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Representative Nydia Velázquez (D-NY). ABIC continues to push for the inclusion of Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) in the set-aside; an extension of the processing period to December 31st; move from 8 weeks to 24 weeks for forgiveness; and automatic forgiveness for smaller loans.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, Chairman of the Senate Small 91̽»¨ and Entrepreneurship Committee: “CDFIs have played a critical role in expanding access to the Paycheck Protection Program, especially for small businesses that did not have a prior banking relationship. By setting aside $10 billion for CDFIs, the Trump Administration will help ensure underserved small businesses have access to critical funds as our economy begins to reopen, recover and rebuild.â€�

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer: “For weeks, Democrats have been fighting to make sure the PPP funds reach truly small businesses, and specifically minority-owned businesses, and today’s announcement is a major step forward in that effort. Community Development Financial Institutions are a lifeline to so many traditionally underserved and underbanked communities. I want to thank Secretary Mnuchin for heeding our calls to set aside a pool of funding specifically designated for lending by CDFIs, and now we’re urging him to move on and include Minority Depository Institutions as well since they, too, are critical to expanding access to communities of color.�

U.S. Representative Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Chairwoman of the House Small 91̽»¨ Committee: “Recognizing that big banks were catering to the needs of clients with pre-existing banking relationships, Congress acted to set-aside funding to harness the power of local, small lenders to make PPP loans to small businesses in underserved communities. Thanks to tireless pressure from minority business advocacy leaders like ABIC, the Trump Administration has followed Congressional intent by issuing $10 billion in set-aside funds for community lenders—a crucial step toward rebuilding America’s hardest hit communities from the COVID-19 pandemic.â€�

The announcement comes after weeks of advocacy efforts from a broad coalition of advocates calling for  to the Paycheck Protection Program to ensure the funds reach the underserved small businesses and nonprofits in the most vulnerable situations. Many of the smallest and minority-owned businesses have found themselves left behind as .

“Time and again, we have seen that colorblind relief policies only act to perpetuate and exacerbate existing disparities between communities. For this reason, I applaud Senators Rubio and Cardin, Leader Schumer, and Representative Velázquez for recognizing the urgent need to prioritize the communities in the most vulnerable situations, including the Black community, in the COVID-19 response through this $10 billion PPP set-aside,â€� said Sam Scott, retired CEO & Chairman of Ingredion Incorporated and ABIC Co-Chair. “Not only do Black people make up a  of COVID-19 infections and deaths, but Black business owners are also shouldering the economic fallout of the pandemic, with the number of working Black businesses — a rate much higher than other racial groups. This $10 billion set-aside is a start to helping our underserved Black and Brown communities survive through this pandemic.â€�

“This $10 billion PPP set-aside is a big win for the small businesses and nonprofits that are the backbone of our communities, but have been left behind in previous rounds of relief. While large banks approve loans sought by Latino and Black small business owners at  than their white counterparts,Ìý from CDFIs go to minority-owned and underserved businesses,â€� said Raul Raymundo, President & CEO of The Resurrection Project and ABIC Co-Chair. “We thank the small business champions in Congress that have pushed to level the playing field for small businesses of color by ensuring that big banks cannot drain PPP funds before they are able to reach the small businesses that need them the most.â€�

“Today’s Treasury announcement, thanks to Senator Rubio, Senator Ben Cardin, Representative Velázquez, and Leader Schumer will help ensure that PPP lives up to its legislative intent to reach the most underserved communities, and strengthen our nation’s ability to recover from this unprecedented health and economic crisis. There is still much work to be done, and we look forward to doing it together,� said Rebecca Shi, Executive Director of ABIC.

ABIC will continue pushing for more equitable implementation of PPP along with our partners, including NALCAB, Self-Help Federal Credit Union, the NAACP, National Partnership for New 91̽»¨s (NPNA), the National Urban League, the Illinois Restaurant Association, the National Restaurant Association, The Resurrection Program, NACEDA, Opportunity Finance Network, UnidosUS and others, will continue providing technical assistance to underserved small businesses and nonprofits in the PPP loan application and forgiveness process to ensure they are not left behind in this essential federal relief.

°Õ³ó±ðÌý91̽»¨ (ABIC) promotes commonsense immigration reform that advances economic competitiveness, provides 91̽»¨ companies with both the high-skilled and low-skilled talent they need, and allows the integration of immigrants into our economy as consumers, workers, entrepreneurs and citizens.

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