"NEW 50 State Study: Undocumented Californians pay $3.2 billlion in State and Local Taxes" #Health4All for Wednesday, 24 February 2016

"NEW 50 State Study: Undocumented Californians pay $3.2 billlion in State and Local Taxes" #Health4All for Wednesday, 24 February 2016

Tax Contributions, by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy finds that the 3.1 million undocumented immigrants currently living in California collectively paid almost $3.2 billion in state and local taxes in 2013.
ITEP’s analysis also finds that under the Obama Administration’s executive actions their combined state and local tax contributions would increase by $184 million in California. An even more substantial increase of $450 million is projected under comprehensive immigration reform granting all undocumented immigrants lawful permanent residence.
“Regardless of the politically contentious nature of immigration reform, the data show undocumented immigrants greatly contribute to our nation's economy, not just in labor but also with tax dollars,” said Meg Wiehe, ITEP's State Tax Policy Director.
The report’s key findings:
In California alone, undocumented immigrants contributed almost $3.2 billion to state and local taxes in 2013.
The average effective state and local tax rate for undocumented Californians (the share of income they pay in taxes) is an estimated 8 percent; when the administration’s executive action is fully implemented, that rate will jump to 8.3 percent, meaning undocumented Californians pay nearly as much of their income in taxes as the wealthiest 1 percent.
Under President Obama’s 2012 and 2014 executive actions, which would make temporary immigration reprieve available to up to 1.52 million undocumented immigrants in California, their state and local tax contributions would increase by an estimated $184 million a year once fully in place.
Nationally, undocumented immigrants contribute significantly to state and local taxes, collectively paying an estimated $11.64 billion in 2013.
Nationally, the tax contributions of the U.S.’s 11 million undocumented immigrants would increase by $805 million under full implementation of the administration’s 2012 and 2014 executive actions and by $2.1 billion under comprehensive immigration reform.
To view the full report/blog or to find state-specific data, go to www.itep.org/immigration/.
Sincerely,
The #Health4All Team
www.health4allca.org
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"I'm afraid of what will happen if they send us back to Guatemala" Hilda Ramirez via Groundswell of Auburn Theological Seminary of New York, New York, United States for Monday, 22 February 2016

I'm fighting to stop my deportation and all unjust deportations - join me.
Click here to add your name to our petition.

I left Guatemala with my 9-year-old son to escape violence and poverty. But now the Dept. of Homeland Security is targeting families like mine in deportation raids to send us back. I've taken Sanctuary at St. Andrews in Austin to fight my deportation, and all unjust raids and deportations.
My name is Hilda, and last year, I traveled to the United States from Guatemala with my 8-year-old son, Ivan.
I left because I could no longer live with the violence that's overtaken my home country - the constant fear that my son and I would be targeted by ruthless gang members. But when we arrived seeking asylum, instead of finding help, the United States imprisoned us in a family detention center.
For 11 months, my son and I lived in inhumane conditions. So I joined more than 70 immigrant moms in a hunger strike to protest our incarceration, and the unjust detention of thousands of refugee families like mine.1 Eventually, I was released with an ankle monitor.
But now, the Department of Homeland Security has started targeting Central American families in a surge of unjust raids and deportations. Over 120 people have already been detained, and 77 of them were immediately deported.2 I am afraid of what will happen if they send me and Ivan back to Guatemala.
So I have made the decision to enter into Sanctuary at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas to fight my deportation with the help of a legal team, and the love and action of people of faith and moral courage - like you.
Will you sign the petition Pastor Jim Rigby started asking the Obama administration to stop my deportation order, and the unjust raids and deportations of Central American families like mine?
Pastor Jim says, "Sanctuary is a place where God's love and protection is a living reality. Our faith demands that we treat refugees as neighbors. Our faith demands that we open our doors, even when others are shutting theirs."
St. Andrews is walking in the footsteps of over 300 courageous congregations who are part of the Sanctuary Movement, standing in solidarity with individuals and families like mine, who traveled to the United States in search of refuge. I am proud to be part of this faithful movement of resistance.
Will you stand with us and tell ICE you demand an end to the raids and deportation of my family and my community?
With gratitude and hope,
Hilda
P.S. Click here to watch the video of our press conference at St. Andrews Church.
[1] "Mothers held at Texas detention centre go on hunger strike to demand release," The Guardian. April 1, 2015.
[2] "U.S. authorities begin raids, taking 121 illegal immigrants into custody over the weekend," The Washington Post. Jan. 4, 2016.
Auburn Theological Seminary
475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1800

New York, New York 10115, United States
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"Reminder: Financial Aid Workshop" Speaker of the Assembly Toni G. Atkins of Sacramento and San Diego, California, United States for Tuesday, 23 February 2016

Attend a Financial Aid Workshop
Dear Friends,

Not sure you can afford college? California offers two ways to help you and your family pay for school:
Cal Grant Financial Aid Program - Guarantees financial aid based on need to every qualified student who applies.
Middle Class Scholarship - Significantly reduces fees at the California State University and University of California for families who qualify.
In order to qualify, students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application by March 2, 2016.
The California Student Aid Commission is offering free workshops to help students complete their application. At these workshops, advisors will be available to discuss financial aid opportunities and assist students with completing the FAFSA. Below are details for an upcoming workshop. Visit my website for more information.
Local Cash for College Workshop
Saturday, February 27
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Mission Bay High School
2475 Grand Avenue
San Diego, California 92109, United States

Warmly,

Toni G. Atkins
Speaker of the Assembly
78th Assembly District
P.S. Social media is a great way to connect with my office! Use the icon below to like my page on Facebook.


Website: http://www.asmdc.org/speakerEmail: Speaker Toni G. Atkins
Capitol Office:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, California 94249-0078, United States
Tel: (916) 319-2078
Fax: (916) 319-2178 District Office:
1350 Front Street
Room 6054
San Diego, California 92101, United States

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 "Zika in Haiti" Joia Mukherjee, Partners In Health of Boston, Massachusetts, United States for Thursday, 11 February 2016

Last month, the Zika virus struck Haiti's impoverished countryside. Today, this mosquito-borne disease is spreading ruthlessly—posing grave danger to mothers and children where we work.
Our colleagues in Haiti need support to educate families, distribute potent bug spray, and provide crucial health care to people exposed to the epidemic, potentially linked to tragic birth defects.
We need your help to get started, Gary. And at this time, we need to raise $100,000 to fund our initial response. Would you consider a gift of $15 or more today?

Every year, 32,000 expectant moms in Haiti turn to PIH for care. These women face particular danger today.
Zika is potentially linked to babies born with underdeveloped brains and tiny heads—a birth defect called microcephaly.
Your gift today can help prevent this suffering—and provide follow-up care for affected families.
Together, we will spread information and provide insect repellent—a basic protection that you or I could buy at the corner store.
We will ramp up family planning services—so every woman can choose to prevent pregnancy while the virus threatens her community.
And, of course, we will continue to offer high-quality health care across Haiti, to treat more people, pregnant or not, suffering from Zika. That includes high-level maternal care—so every woman has the opportunity for a healthy pregnancy.
We need you to make it happen. Join us with a gift today:
http://act.pih.org/fight-zika
Thank you for your partnership in responding to this crisis.
Joia
Dr. Joia Mukherjee
Chief Medical Officer
Partners In Health


Partners In Health
888 Commonwealth Avenue, 3rd Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States

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