One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Some Spouses Of Immigrants Are Being Denied Pandemic Relief Checks In California
President Trump's signature appears on letters announcing the recipient will receive an Economic Impact Payment of up to $1,200 per person, part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. (Libby Denkmann for LAist)
Millions of American taxpayers are getting government stimulus checks of up to $1,200 per person.
But some U.S. citizens are being denied the money, because they’re married to immigrants who lack a Social Security number. A new lawsuit from the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund seeks to change that.
The group filed a federal suit this week challenging the Trump Administration’s policy of denying the benefit to citizens who file their taxes jointly as a married couple, with a spouse who uses an Individual Tax Identification Number, or ITIN.
The group argues that the current policy violates the constitution’s guarantee of equal protection and free speech.
READ THE FULL STORY:
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
