Could immigration enforcement lead to an eviction crisis?
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Federal immigration enforcement is fueling a growing rent crisis. Many immigrant workers — even those with legal authorization — fear leaving home due to increased enforcement, while others are losing income as workplaces cut hours or shut down. Without paychecks, rent and other bills go unpaid.
Advocates report a surge in calls to tenant hotlines and emergency assistance programs, particularly in immigrant communities, and some leaders are calling for a temporary ban on evicting tenants.
MPR News host Angela Davis discusses how immigration enforcement is upending people’s livelihoods and how communities are responding.
Resources mentioned during the show:
Home Line’s tenant advocacy hotline is 612-728-5767 or email at homelinemn.org/email.
United Way 211 provides free and confidential referrals to a range of resources, including rental assistance. Call 211 or find more information here.
West Side Community Organization has created a rent assistance fund for low-income renters living on the West Side of St. Paul.
Pillsbury United Communities is raising $1.5 million for a rapid response fund to help 250 families with urgent needs and rental assistance.
Centro De Trabajadores Unidos En La Lucha (CTUL) has created a fund to support its worker members, primarily people working in construction.
Stand with Minnesota is an online directory of legal and other resources started in response to federal immigration enforcement activity in Minnesota. It lists more than 30 informal groups and organizations that have created rental assistance funds.
Guests:
Jess Zarik is co-executive director of Home Line, a tenant advocacy organization founded more than 30 years ago. It staffs a hotline for tenants seeking legal and other help related to rental housing.
Miguel Brito is an organizer with the West Side Community Organization in St. Paul. The nonprofit organization started a fund to help cover rent for immigrant families and others whose work has been disrupted by immigration enforcement activity.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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