Dozens of families have set up camp outside the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton to call on Governor Phil Murphy and lawmakers to create a recovery fund for undocumented immigrants, who are shut out from federal and state COVID-19 relief money.

"It has been very unjust for our community," said Edison Hernandez, 55, who is camping out with his 15 year old son. "We pay taxes, we deserve to have recovery for all."

Hernandez is from Uruguay and has been in the U.S. for 20 years. He's a workplace safety instructor, but hasn't worked since March. He said it's difficult to pay his rent and bills. Hernandez says undocumented families like his pay taxes and deserve some relief. New Jersey Policy Perspective estimates undocumented workers have contributed $1.2 billion dollars into federal and state unemployment insurance over the last 10 years. 

The encampment was organized by Make the Road New Jersey, an immigrant rights group that for months has urged the state to follow the lead of states like California that created an immigrant assistance fund. The group is asking Murphy to create a weekly stipend for undocumented workers who have lost their jobs but don't qualify for unemployment benefits. They're also rallying support for a bill sponsored by Sen. Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex, that would give immigrants who filed gross income tax returns a one-time payment that ranges from $500 to $1,000.

Murphy spokeswoman Alyana Alfaro said the governor "believes that immigrants are a critical part of the fabric of New Jersey and understands that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on our immigrant families."

She said the state "will continue working to find solutions for residents facing financial hardship, regardless of immigration status.”

Murphy created a $100 million rental assistance program that helps residents regardless of immigration status but has not committed to providing a weekly stipend.