A Trip To Queens

This past Valentine’s Day, I took a trip to visit an organization called Rise Now in Flushing, Queens.

Rise Now was established to help small businesses and individuals gain access to capital and gain a better understanding of the financial system.  They work primarily but not exclusively with the Chinese community in Flushing. It is run by Christopher Kui, former Executive Director of Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) and Siu Chan, formerly the Managing Director of Renaissance Economic Development Corporation, an affiliate of AAFE.  Chris connected to Brooklyn Coop through Inclusiv because he would like to start a credit union. Our CEO Samira told him that Bk Coop has long had Certified Acceptance Agents on staff that process applications for ITINs (Individual Tax Id Numbers) as part of our account opening.  Chris and Siu wanted to help the latest wave of Chinese migrants who are arriving in Flushing to access financial resources, and applying for an ITIN is often one of their first goals upon arrival.

When I tell friends and family that we help undocumented immigrants apply for an ITIN for tax filing, they are often surprised because they believe undocumented immigrants don’t pay taxes. In reality, not only do many undocumented immigrants file taxes, they pay more than a US resident with the same income because they don’t qualify for most Federal and State tax credits.  Plus, since they cannot legally work, their earned income is through self-employment which means they pay the employer and employee’s share of Social Security and Medicare benefits … neither of which they are eligible to receive.

I was warmly greeted by Chris, Siu and staff with some tea and baked goodies.  Sui had 14 appointments scheduled for the day and we got to work.  By 1pm she and I had completed 5 new accounts and ITIN applications.  We went slowly to make sure everyone was comfortable with all the forms.  I scarfed down a pastry for lunch and kept going. By 4pm we were done — 10 new Bk Coop members and 10 completed ITIN applications.

Before I left, Siu and I reflected on the day and she shared the stories she had heard from the ITIN applicants. Most had come by way of Turkey and then South America – Ecuador and Venezuela most commonly.  A few applicants with VISAs flew directly to the US. One man took a 30-day journey from China to Turkey to Ecuador by plane, then on foot and bus from Ecuador to the US.  He had come with his two young children.  They were currently in a shelter and he was hoping that with a bank account and an ITIN he could sign up for a delivery app to start earning some income. 

When asked why they came, many people talked about losing almost everything during the years-long pandemic shutdown. A restauranteur lost his business and had to sell his house for a third of its purchase price. A factory worker said that all the factories closed in his region and there are no jobs or ways to earn a living. 

I have always been curious about what drives a person to leave their home country, pay $20,000 or more, and risk their lives despite restricted options and resources upon arrival. One side of my family’s ancestors came to America with the Puritans seeking religious freedom, and another side came later fleeing pogroms and military inscription in Russia.  Immigration laws and restrictions were either non-existent or very different upon my ancestors’ arrivals. Community support upon arrival did exist in both cases which is why I am here today.

Brooklyn Cooperative is a community credit union.  Our mission is to “further wealth-building, opportunity, and resilience in our communities by offering fair and affordable financial services”.  We support people, including immigrants, through secure bank accounts, credit builder, access to credit, and tax preparation services.  I am proud of the work we do and I think my ancestors would be too.