On July 11, Mayor Karen Bass announced a plan to provide direct cash assistance to individuals affected by the Trump administration’s widespread immigration raids.
According to various media reports, the aid would be distributed via cash cards loaded with “a couple hundred” dollars, expected to be available within about a week.
“You have people who don’t want to leave their homes, who are not going to work, and they are in need of cash,” she said.
However, several days have passed, and the cash cards have yet to be delivered. There has also been no official announcement regarding when they will be distributed or what the eligibility requirements are.
The mayor emphasized that the funds would not come from the city budget but from philanthropic partners. The cards will be distributed by immigrant rights organizations, such as the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA).
According to the mayor’s office, the city will act as a coordinator between the philanthropists and the organizations responsible for distributing the cards.
However, a phone call to CHIRLA revealed that the cards are still not available and that no delivery date or eligibility details have been provided.
Mayor Bass had previously stated the cards would be delivered within a week, but more than two weeks have passed without an update.
Thousands of workers have lost their income and are unable to work. The need for assistance is becoming increasingly urgent.
Numerous organizations and individuals are running campaigns to help those in need—some delivering food supplies, others offering financial assistance. Recently, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced a $1 million donation to the Mayor’s Office to be distributed at their discretion.
Parriva has launched an initiative to form a community committee composed of multiple organizations to coordinate daily support and resources for the community.
