Hi all,
I hope this message finds you well. Fridays with Fatima will be coming back soon, and I realize today is Thursday, but I had something information to share with you and wanted to get it out today.
We have until December 10 to submit a comment opposing this new proposed public charge rule, and we need your help! Please read for more information.
New Trump Administration Proposed Public Charge Rule
A proposed public charge rule has been published in today’s Federal Register. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a draft proposed rule on their website on September 22, 2018, seeking to change how the agency determines whether an immigrant is likely to become a “public charge.” Non-citizens can be considered a public charge if they are likely to become primarily dependent on the government for support and can be categorized as unallowable or denied a green card.
What is a Public Charge
Currently, a “public charge” is defined as a person who is “primarily dependent on the government for support, by either utilizing public cash assistance or needing institutionalization for long-term care at the government’s expense. “The draft rule would change this definition to include any applicant who uses or receives, or is likely to use or receive, one or more public benefits, including non-cash benefits”. Unlike the previous definition of a “public charge”, the new rule proposes to include Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance, and Public Housing. This will create great fear and already has, for immigrant individuals and families who access or have a pressing need to access these programs. It is counterproductive to our values and missions and undermines the very reason many public programs were created.
What Housing Advocates Can Do
Minnesota Budget Project has put together an action alert on their website! Use it to activate your voice and oppose this rule! DHS is accepting public comments until December 10th. Make your comments as unique as possible by adding a paragraph or two about how the clients and residents your organization support will be impacted.
Additionally, a national collaboration, Protecting Immigrant Families, has a form on their website to easily submit a comment. Copy and paste your comment in field and send it off. You can also sign up for emails.
Submit a Comment by Mail
Your statements will not be confidential. All comments are part of the public record and will be published after the public comment period closes. Submitting your comment by mail allows you to be anonymous.
Mail: Samantha Deshommes, Chief, Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20529-2140. Refer to DHS Docket No. USCIS-2010-0012.
We have until December 10th to submit a comment.
Your statements will not be confidential. All comments are part of the public record and will be published after the public comment period closes.
Resources
There is still time to OPPOSE this rule but we HAVE to move quickly.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Fatima