What is Public Charge?

On October 10, 2018 the Trump administration introduced a proposed rule change to expand the criteria for what counts as Public Charge. Public Charge allows the government to deny immigration status to people who may be dependent on certain forms of public assistance. Currently only a small number of programs (TANF, SSI and long-term institutional care, such as Medicaid coverage for nursing home care) makes someone inadmissible. The proposed rule would expand the number of government assistance programs what would make an immigrant a “Public Charge.” The expanded definition would include programs such as non-emergency Medicaid, housing assistance such as Section 8 housing vouchers, and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and even assistance for seniors who need help paying for Medicare part D (prescription drugs). This will impact many of our most vulnerable community members.

The new rule could force immigrant families to choose between permanent legal status and their ability to access basic needs like healthy food, safe housing, and health care.

This rule is not about making immigrants self-sufficient. It is to prevent many immigrants, who have built this country, from becoming legal permanent residents. It is part of a series of attacks on all immigrant communities and their children here.