DETROIT (AP) — Immigrants living in Detroit without legal permission will get a chance to apply for a share of $750,000 given by a New York-based philanthropy, officials said Thursday.
“We know we are a stronger city when everyone is taken care of,” said city council member Raquel Castaneda-Lopez. “We are in this together.”
She estimated there are 8,000 to 20,000 people who are living in Detroit without U.S. legal permission or living with family members with that status. They’re not eligible for government payments during the coronavirus pandemic.
The money, which comes from the Open Society Foundations, will be distributed by community groups.
“The city is not going to take that money,” Mayor Mike Duggan said.
Angela Reyes, director of the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, said families could get $500 to $2,000.
“Not huge amounts but every little bit helps,” Reyes said.
