SEATTLE, WASH – In a recent revelation, the Economic Policy Innovation Center (EPIC) has released a report detailing the use of federal COVID-19 relief funds by Washington state, highlighting a significant allocation towards illegal immigrants. According to the report, Washington state directed $340 million of the $4.4 billion received from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF), established under the American Rescue Plan Act, to provide financial assistance to those ineligible for federal economic impact payments due to their immigration status.
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The funds supported the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund, initially set up in 2020, which granted $1,000 checks to undocumented individuals. This initiative was a continuation of the state’s efforts, following a previous allocation of $128 million from the CARES Act, which was deemed insufficient to meet the high demand for assistance among undocumented residents.
EPIC’s report criticizes the allocation of these funds, suggesting that the Biden Administration indirectly subsidized undocumented immigration under the pretext of pandemic relief. The expenditure is categorized as a ‘cash transfer’ under the SLFRF, raising concerns about the use of federal funds to support illegal immigration.
The report also sheds light on other projects funded for illegal immigrants, including arts, music, and dance classes in Arizona, and the expansion of shelters in Massachusetts. EPIC’s President and CEO, Paul Winfree, expressed concerns over the remaining $120 billion in unspent SLFRF funds, urging Congress to retract the money to prevent it from attracting further illegal immigration.
This revelation comes at a time when immigration and border security remain hotly debated topics in the U.S., with Congress negotiating a supplemental funding bill that includes aid to communities receiving migrants. The ongoing discussions also involve potential restrictions on asylum and the administration’s use of parole.
State officials defended the fund as an essential resource for individuals excluded from other federal and state aid, highlighting its role in addressing the economic impacts of the pandemic on vulnerable populations. The program concluded in early 2023, marking the end of this particular chapter of pandemic-related assistance in Washington state.
As the debate over the use of federal funds and immigration policy continues, this report adds a new dimension to the conversation, emphasizing the need for scrutiny and accountability in the allocation of government aid.
