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Public Charge Rule Change Is an Attack on Immigrant Communities

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

(March 4, 2020) We’re disappointed that last week, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services put into effect the rule change around public charge. Fair immigration policies protect our collective prosperity and support wellness. That’s why we’ve supported organizations who have engaged in attempts to intervene in this rule change over the last few years. Even though this outcome is not what was hoped for, we know immigrant communities will continue to thrive.

Stay Informed

Many of our grantee partners have shared resources and materials to make clear what the public charge rule change means.

In recent weeks, the California Immigrant Policy Center has been conducting in-depth reporter briefings to provide actual and factual information. Last week, the national Protecting Immigrant Families campaign conducted a National Teach-in Day. You can learn more and find resources that can be shared here.

The National Immigration Law Center has also been leading the legal fight and published an insightful document about the harm caused by the change in the rule; that document can be found here.  Marielena Hincapié, executive director of NILC, also authored this op-ed in the Washington Post about the public charge rule change.

Finally, the California Health Care Foundation published this blog, which includes tools for people to use and resources that can be printed for those impacted by the change in public charge. Although this is a setback, we know the fight is not over.

Want to learn more? Connect with these organizations and resources:

Sandra Martinez image
Director of Public Policy Sandra J. Martínez

Sandra J. Martínez plans, coordinates and oversees Cal Wellness’ public policy activities as a means of advancing its mission, achieving its goals and amplifying the impact of its grantmaking.

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