On October 10, 2018, the Department of Homeland Security published a proposed new rule that would change who is considered a “public charge”—and could radically reshape our legal immigration system.
Public charge is a term used in immigration law to refer to a person who is primarily dependent on the government to meet their basic needs. The new proposed rule would broaden the definition to assess an immigrant’s likely use, at any time in the future, of even modest amounts of an expanded list of essential public programs.
When an individual living abroad applies for a visa to enter the U.S., or an immigrant applies for lawful permanent resident status (i.e. a “green card”), an immigration official looks at the person’s life circumstances to see if the person is likely to depend on government programs in the future. This consular or immigration officer considers the person’s age, health, family and financial status, education and skills. If the officer determines that the person is likely to become a public charge, the officer can refuse to grant their application to enter the U.S. or get a green card.
The Trump administration’s proposed test adds standards for income, health, age and English language proficiency, and an income test of 125% of the federal poverty line, in addition to expanding the forms of public assistance that are counted in a public charge determination. If finalized, this regulation would dramatically reshape our legal immigration system, putting the wealthy at the front of the line ahead of hardworking families who have waited years to to get their green cards or reunite with loved ones.
It is still only a proposal.
Right now, the published rule is just a proposal to change the public charge policy currently in place. Before it can finalize the proposed rule, the government must let the public submit comments about it and must read all the comments. This process, along with the possibility that Congress will review the proposal, may delay finalization of the rule.
The proposed rule lists certain government programs that, only if you use them or are deemed “likely in the future to use them” after the rule becomes final, could be counted against you in the public charge determination.
If you or members of your family are using government programs to get medical care or pay for food or rent, you do not need to stop using those programs at this time. These programs help your family stay healthy and able to work, go to school or do whatever else you need to do now. The proposed new rule lists certain programs that, if a person uses them after the rule goes into effect, will be considered when determining whether the person is likely to become a public charge.
The changes proposed in this rule do not apply to all immigrants.
Some immigrants are not subject to the public charge test. Certain “humanitarian” immigrants are either exempt from having to show that they are not likely to become a public charge, or able to qualify for a public charge waiver. These immigrants include refugees, people who are applying for or have been granted asylum, people applying for a green card under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), people who have or are applying for U or T visas, children seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile status and people in some other protected categories. The public charge test also does not apply when green card holders apply to become U.S. citizens.
You are not alone, and there’s still time to fight back.
Join us in submitting comments opposing the proposed changes to public charge policy. Organize your networks, your neighbors and your family, asking them to do the same. Share your own story. Visit ProtectingImmigrantFamilies.org to find out how you can fight this proposal.
If you have questions about your status, you can search for an immigration attorney or DoJ-accredited representative to consult about your individual case at ImmigrationLawHelp.org.
Who is affected
According to NILC, the proposal has already made immigrant families afraid to seek programs that help them stay strong and productive, and raise children who thrive. With approximately one in four children in the U.S. having at least one immigrant parent, the ramifications could affect millions nationwide.
In Illinois, 1 million people—including 379,000 children—could be impacted. 13% of Cook County’s population, or 658,000 people, could be affected by this rule change. In Kane, Lake, DuPage and Will counties, an estimated 261,000 people could be impacted.
Preliminary research presented this month at the American Public Health Association conference shows that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation among immigrant families declined in the first half of 2018, after 10 years of increasing participation from 2007 through 2017. The drop was highest among families who have been in the U.S. for fewer than five years. The data reinforces earlier reporting that suggests some families may be choosing not to participate in federal benefit programs, out of fear that it could impact their immigration status.
Lead researcher and deputy director of policy strategy for Boston Medical Center’s Children’s HealthWatch Allison Bovell-Ammon said, “We believe the drop in participation may be related to more nuanced changes in national immigration rhetoric and increased federal action to deport and detain immigrants. These findings demonstrate that rhetoric and the threat of policy changes, even before changes are enacted, may be causing families to forego nutrition assistance.”
Speak up against the change.
Federal law requires DHS to solicit comments from the public for a 60-day period before it publishes a national rule. No change can take effect until at least 60 days after DHS reviews and responds to all comments. Anyone over the age of 18 can submit comments; there are no citizenship requirements. However, comments must be in English or include a translation into English. The comment period for the public charge proposal ends December 10, 2018. Visit ProtectingImmigrantFamilies.org to submit your comment today.
Reach out to local organizations.
The Trust works closely with a number of Chicago-area organizations helping to serve, inform and protect immigrant families in our region. Find out how you can support their work by visiting them online:
The best way to strengthen our country is to ensure that all families who live in it can meet their basic needs. All families need food, medical care, shelter and other basic necessities in order to thrive, and to make their fullest contribution to the community we share.
