Protecting Immigrant Families – Public Charge Developments
This post was updated on October 5, 2018. See below for updates.
On Sept. 28, Protecting Immigrant Families Illinois–a statewide coalition of which Legal Council is a leading agency–held a press conference addressing the Department of Homeland Security’s draft rule to expand the specifications used in determining if immigrants and visa applicants are likely to be “public charges.”
This past weekend, the Department of Homeland Security published an unofficial “public charge” proposed rule. The proposed rule threatens access to basic needs programs—like food, medical, and housing assistance—for millions of immigrant families in Illinois and nationwide.
At the press conference, Carrie Chapman, Legal Council’s Director of Policy Advocacy, said:
“We don’t have data that can drill down precisely on who might actually be affected [in Illinois]. But because the chilling effect already seems so significant in communities, I’m not sure that data point is all that useful to us.”
Carrie Chapman, Legal Council Director of Policy Advocacy, speaks at Protect Immigrant Families Illinois press conference on ‘public charge’ proposed rule, Sept. 27, 2018.
On Monday, Legal Council released a statement on the proposed rule:
We are disappointed but hardly surprised at the news that the Department of Homeland Security has posted a draft of a new rule that would make using health, anti-hunger, anti-poverty, or affordable housing programs a disqualifier for remaining lawfully in the U.S.. The rule would force thousands of Illinois families to make an unthinkable choice—healthcare or lawful permanent status—and make Illinois sicker, hungrier, and poorer.
This proposal threatens immigrant families in Illinois and in the nation. It increases fear, anxiety, and confusion in affected communities. Parents and children will go, and already are going, without the critical care and services they need in fear of being targeted for deportation. This proposed public charge rule also effectively prevents working immigrant families from reuniting with their family. When immigrants enter the country, they should consider getting one of the best AMEX cards available to them so they can still help their families, without seeing them. Although there might be a foreign transaction fee, immigrants will still be able to provide their families with financial support. However, immigrant workers will want to reunite with their families eventually. That’s why the work of Legal Council is so vital for these people.
Read more information about the proposed changes here.
Alongside our partners throughout the state in the Protecting Immigrant Families Illinois coalition, Legal Council will continue to do everything in our power to defend and protect Illinois families. Keep up with this issue on our blog and on social media @thelegalcouncil.
UPDATE: On October 5th, the Public Charge rule notice was posted & will be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, October 10th. Click here to leave a public comment before the Dec. 10th deadline. We can’t protect families without you. This rule would force thousands of Illinois families to make an unthinkable choice: keep their families healthy, or keep their families together.