Mixed-Status Families Eligible for Stimulus Check

COVID-19 has negatively impacted Americans in a number of ways. The closing of non-essential businesses resulted in a lot of layoffs and has left many families struggling financially. As a result, the U.S. government has offered aid in the form of stimulus checks.

Earlier this year, some Americans received a $1200 stimulus check. But, not everyone was eligible to receive one. Because they do not have Social Security numbers, undocumented immigrants were not eligible to receive financial aid during the pandemic. According to the New York Times, the legislation prohibited “payments to people who file taxes jointly with someone who uses an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, a common substitute for a Social Security number used mostly by immigrants without legal status.” So, if you are a U.S. citizen, married to an undocumented immigrant, you were not eligible to receive stimulus either. U.S. News states, “Some 14.4 million people in mixed-status families in total were excluded from relief as a result, including 5.1 million people who are either citizens or green card holders, according to an estimate from the nonprofit Migration Policy Institute. Broken down, that figure includes 1.4 million spouses and 3.7 million children who are citizens or legal residents.” This controversy has led to a lot of financial hardship. It has also prompted a number of lawsuits from U.S. citizens against the government.

This time around, this situation is being rectified– partially. Now, families of mixed citizenship status will be eligible to receive stimulus. But, “undocumented immigrants and other taxpaying noncitizens who do not have a Social Security number are still barred from receiving stimulus checks under the law,” according to Vox. So, if you are a U.S. citizen married to someone who does not have a Social Security number, you will be eligible to receive stimulus, but your spouse will not be.

If you have any questions about why you may not have received stimulus earlier this year, or whether you will be eligible to receive a check during the next round, contact our firm today. We understand the struggles you are facing and we are here to advocate for you and help you work through any immigration-related legal matters. Do not hesitate to reach out and speak with a dedicated New York City immigration attorney.

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Katona & Associates, PLLC is an experienced, highly dedicated New York City immigration law firm located in lower Manhattan. Our firm works with clients in all matters of immigration law, including employment immigration, family immigration, deportation defense, green cards, and citizenship. Contact us to discuss your case and get the help you need.