LCHC Reaction to the Biden Administration’s Public Charge Rule
The public charge rule announced by DHS today, formally removes the cruel Trump-era additions- including a punitive wealth test and an increased list of public benefits. Trump-era changes to the rule, injected fear among immigrant communities across the nation and purposefully bullied immigrant and mixed-status families from accessing necessary resources fearing the potential repercussions. The fear induced disenrollment (also known as the chilling effect) was particularly detrimental during a time when immigrant communities were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and needed access to healthcare, nutrition, and economic relief. This removal takes us back to the status quo, we are still dealing with a fundamentally racist and anti-immigrant rule. The public charge rule is NOT fair and humane, as claimed by the DHS Statement released today. A truly fair and humane response by the Biden administration would guarantee access to necessary resources regardless of immigration status. Immigrant rights advocates must and will continue to do the hard work of rebuilding broken trust with communities who continue to endure the chilling effect and the aftermath of Trump-era trauma.
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About LCHC:
Founded in 1992, the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California (LCHC) is the only Latinx-led statewide policy and advocacy organization protecting and advancing Latinx health equity. We are a cross-sector coalition of community leaders, advocates, policy advisors, administrators and providers united by our common belief in protecting Latinx health and advancing health equity for all. Our work consists of community-centered programming, policy and advocacy development, and strategic communications.
