August 12, 2019
Today the Trump Administration announced it would move forward with a new “public charge” rule that would make it more difficult for immigrants to qualify for a green card. Specifically, the expanded public charge rule would penalize those who have accepted specific public benefits, including housing assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and Medicaid. Sandy Santana, Executive Director of Children’s Rights, issued this statement:
“The new public charge rule is an unconscionable element of a broader immigration policy that is deliberately designed to punish immigrant families. And as with the administration’s “zero tolerance” separation policy, this policy change will harm innocent children—including American citizens—by forcing families to make the difficult choice between providing housing, food, and healthcare for their kids and pursuing a green card to live and work legally in the country alongside their families. We cannot allow a policy so cruel and heartless to move forward, particularly at the expense of children.”