10 Key Takeaways from our #ImmigrantsThrive Twitter Chat

Twelve million immigrant workers are either employed in essential jobs on the front lines fighting COVID-19 or are facing economic hardship due to the pandemic, per the Migration Policy Institute. Many are employed in sectors experiencing massive layoffs or that lack paid sick leave. Others are afraid to seek health care and essential services because of the public charge rule. 

In the face of these challenges, a number of organizations, researchers, and other entities have begun to form ideas and develop efforts to provide information, relief, and support to immigrant workers and their communities.  

To bring together partners in the immigrant-serving sector, the WES Mariam Assefa Fund and WES Global Talent Bridge program hosted a Twitter chat –  #ImmigrantsThrive, in early April. Organizations and leaders shared knowledge and ideas to ensure immigrants are well-supported and part of COVID-19 solutions.  

Here are 10 key takeaways that surfaced during this collaborative discussion:

1. Immigrant workers are on the front lines of the pandemic.

A1: Immigrants represent a significant portion of America's healthcare workforce. We are hearing stories of incredible resilience w/workers taking online classes while caring for their families & serving on the frontlines during this crisis. #ImmigrantsThrive

— World Education – US (@WorldEdUS) April 8, 2020

A1 (2): These interactive @NYTimes charts that show risks of COVID-19 disease and infection by industry/occupation. Health care workers are most vulnerable, and immigrants disproportionately work in this sector: https://t.co/5qHKQ99J1J #ImmigrantsThrive https://t.co/EsN99EeiHL

— WES Global Talent Bridge (@WESGlobalTalent) April 8, 2020

2. COVID-19 is hitting black and brown communities in the U.S. the hardest. 

It's imp. to note the emerging research showing that #COVD19 is hitting black and brown communities disproportionately hard; with those communities being hospitalized and dying at greater rates than whites. https://t.co/2doGVq54dq #ImmigrantsThrive

— NeedsList (@NeedsList4Good) April 8, 2020

3. Undocumented immigrants are especially vulnerable. Policy solutions must include access and protection for undocumented immigrants.   

A9: We wrote this blog post in response to the lacking parts of the stimulus bill, namely that it continues to exclude provisions for immigrants who may be undocumented or be part of families with an undocumented person. #ImmigrantsThrive https://t.co/KB0CHQIFZV https://t.co/JZfEcjKUUK

— Welcoming America (@WelcomingUSA) April 8, 2020

A9: Ensure that refugees and immigrants have fair access to healthcare during #COVID19 by funding community clinics, the trusted providers in these communities. Also clarify public charge rule to lessen fear of seeking care. https://t.co/E1r9vkiIcu #ImmigrantsThrive

— Beeck Center (@BeeckCenter) April 8, 2020

We're heartened to see effort to pass Coronavirus Immigrant Families Protection Act including expansion of cash relief to include people without Social Security numbershttps://t.co/WjmtmFeX7O

— Antony Bugg-Levine (@ABLImpact) April 8, 2020

4. More generally, equitable, inclusive policy is critical as the COVID-19 pandemic plays out. 

– Inclusion & access for undocumented communities
– Justice for incarcerated people, including detained immigrants
– Better conditions for essential workers, many of whom are immigrants
– Increase language accessibility

— All for All (@welcomingaction) April 8, 2020

A8: We've curated a list of best policy practices State & Local govs are taking to ensure emergency responses – from expanding healthcare access to increasing economic support – are culturally competent and accessible to all. #ImmigrantsThrive https://t.co/qfJE0ljPSy https://t.co/0Yek6qv0if

— American Immigration Council – State and Local (@immcouncilSL) April 8, 2020

A11: Don’t wait until a crisis to start support immigrants – involve them in all aspects of planning and policymaking. They will provide important insights to benefit all communities, not just the ones they live in. #ImmigrantsThrive https://t.co/0JelaR8BPk

— Welcoming America (@WelcomingUSA) April 8, 2020

5. There are 263,000 immigrants and refugees with degrees in health-related fields could help in the fight against COVID–19 but face unnecessary policy barriers. Action is needed to change this.  

A9: In Massachusetts, 45 lawmakers have called on Gov. Charlie Baker to grant temporary licenses to health care professionals who are licensed outside the U.S. https://t.co/gzQHQmirgs @MIRACoalition #ImmigrantsThrive https://t.co/lhA2JhVxYE

— IMPRINT (@IMPRINTproject) April 8, 2020

6. There is an urgent need to translate all government updates and resources for immigrant communities.  So far, information circulated by the government about the stimulus bill has not been translated into other languages in full, which is having many impacts.  

A5: We must invest in great nonprofits that use community navigators or people from the community know their communities best. By hiring those people and providing them with critical information, we can make sure that help gets to those who need it most. #ImmigrantsThrive https://t.co/rcyekAwKTL

— Robin Hood (@RobinHoodNYC) April 8, 2020

🙌🏼 There are HUGE gaps for language access even if critical healthcare info IS interpreted/translated by govt (this is still not happening to the extent it needs to be), all the ancillary programs for small biz loans, CARE Act, nonprofit programs, unemployment, are not!

— Brittany Ford (@bfordTOL) April 8, 2020

I'd add to this- loans can be incredibly helpful to relieve emergency cash flow issues, but even low interest, concessionary (or even at 0%) means additional debt, which, especially for earlier stage ventures, can be deadly.

— John Kluge 🐝 (@klugesan) April 8, 2020

7. COVID-19 is affecting non-profits and service providers who work on behalf of immigrants and refugees. The pandemic is making direct service work especially challenging, and many organizations are experiencing financial, operational, and staffing impacts. 

A7: We have financial resources for small businesses & nonprofits at https://t.co/uJSKiq6yHF#ImmigrantsThrive https://t.co/XiUX8oiwXK

— Mission Driven Finance™ (@MDFinanceSD) April 8, 2020

A7: Nonprofits are doing critical work to ensure that everyone has access to the resources they need during #COVID19. To uplift this work, we’ve compiled a list of immigrant-serving orgs across the country that anyone can support today. #ImmigrantsThrive https://t.co/0MwxINBV0e https://t.co/gWLkfIyjQo

— American Immigration Council – State and Local (@immcouncilSL) April 8, 2020

A6 Many nonprofits have had to completely halt their operations & programs. For many immigrants, this means no access to many in-person services. Outreach efforts tied to civic engagement have been disrupted and its consequences remain uncertain. #ImmigrantsThrive

— NPNA (@npnewamericans) April 8, 2020

8. Despite these challenges, immigrant-serving organizations are stepping up and pivoting their approaches. Trainings are now being offered virtually for immigrant and refugee workers and jobseekers.  

A2: Our staff is ramping up support individual job seekers with remote/video coaching. Many are focusing on skill-building during this time. We welcome new applications to our program, which is always free for job seekers. https://t.co/HPbQr3xur9 #ImmigrantsThrive https://t.co/XC7TNBEZVC

— Upwardly Global (@UpwardlyGlobal) April 8, 2020

A3 @WESpicks, we have effectively switched our #ESOL classes online using @Zoom and @WhatsApp, among other technologies. Most students are engaged and determined to pursue developing their English skills. Our waiting list is in the 100s. #ImmigrantsThrive

— The Immigrant Learning Center (@ilctr) April 8, 2020

Proud to report that the @CityPortland #ESOLCollaborative partners are hosting #ESOL classes online using @Zoom @Google and @WhatsApp, etc. Shout out to @PortlandAdultEd @YMCA_SouthernME @LearningWrks @playimagineact @inherpresence 📙📚💻 #ImmigrantsThrive

— Portland Office of Economic Opportunity (@PortlandOEO) April 8, 2020

Also, the @SwitchboardTa E-Learning Library features several free E-Learning modules that can be used independently by refugee job seekers: https://t.co/RmOtfuUCkT

— SwitchboardTA (@SwitchboardTa) April 8, 2020

9. It’s important to be thoughtful and inclusive about community outreach in the virtual space, as well as recognize gaps in digital literacy.

A3 Ask your constituency what they prefer, don’t assume. While millennials may be ok with doing their DACA renewals via zoom, older people may prefer to view their weekly citizenship class on Facebook Live! #ImmigrantsThrive

— NPNA (@npnewamericans) April 8, 2020

A5: Work with representatives from immigrant communities to engage people on platforms they are already on. Don't just disseminate information, encourage two-way conversation. #CommunityEngagement is a huge part of everything the Welcoming Center does. #ImmigrantsThrive

— The Welcoming Center (@welcomingcenter) April 8, 2020

#ImmigrantsThrive | A3. Digital literacy is crucial as whole industries pivot to virtual services. @NorthstarDigLit, a program of @mnliteracy and ETF@JFFLabs partner who serves several immigrants in MN, made their online learning unit publicly available https://t.co/MrsQd6MxQV https://t.co/vDgMejR3yr

— Jobs for the Future (JFF) (@jfftweets) April 8, 2020

10. Funders and employers have a critical support role to play – both now and for future recovery.  

#ImmigrantsThrive | A11. For employers: Remember that the success of your business is tethered to the success of your workers and communities. As we move from crisis into recovery, continue to find ways to support them so they can, in turn, support your business. https://t.co/WB4w3gOhFm

— Jobs for the Future (JFF) (@jfftweets) April 8, 2020

A11: Our ability to pivot to recovery in the short-term AND to weather future disruptions in the long-term depends on our ability to embrace diversity, equity, and resilience in our workforce now. #ImmigrantsThrive https://t.co/CUOKsIDPFs

— Upwardly Global (@UpwardlyGlobal) April 8, 2020

Advice to funders: look to support local communities, esp. immigrant & refugee-led organizations. Only 8-9% of philanthropic dollars goes into communities of color. If there was ever a time to think outside the box, it’s now. https://t.co/Yiy8n71AAm #ImmigrantsThrive

— NeedsList (@NeedsList4Good) April 8, 2020

Click here for a full list of resources shared. 

Thank you to participating organizations!  

• All for All  
• Beeck Center for Social Impact & Innovation  
• Building Skills Partnership 
• Community College Consortium for Immigrant Education  
• Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) 
• English from A to Z 
• Immigrant Learning Center  
• IMPRINT Coalition
• Jobs for the Future  
• Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition  
• Mission Driven Finance  
• National Partnership for New Americans 
• National Skills Coalition  
• New American Economy  
• Needslist  
• Nonprofit Finance Fund  
• One Refugee  
• Portland Office for Economic Opportunity 
• Refugee Investment Network  
• Riverside Language Program 
• Robin Hood Foundation  
• Switchboard TA 
• Upwardly Global 
• Voxy  
• Welcoming America  
• Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians 
• WorldEd