New York state has approved a fund that will award a one-time $15,600 stimulus payment to illegal workers.
The $2.2billion program for “excluded workers” will provide payments for hundreds of thousands of people who are not eligible for other government aid but has been criticized by Republican lawmakers.
It was approved on Tuesday as part of the state’s $212billion budget deal after being among the most contentious issues that dragged debate past the April 1 deadline.
Republicans branded it as “out of touch” when many other New Yorkers are struggling.
Democrats in swing districts in upstate New York and Long Island also fear that it could be used against them in future elections, the New York Times reports.
