Rules of the Game About to Change
“Learn and obey the rules very well so you will know how to break them properly.”
– Dalai Lama –
On October 15th, 2019 a new Public Charge rule will come into effect.
In an effort to curb immigration, legal and otherwise, this administration is putting a new rule into effect regarding the persons considered to be a Public Charge. This new rule will expand the government’s ability to “deny green cards to anyone who uses government benefits or has used at least one public benefit in the past. It also means green cards can be denied to anyone deemed likely to rely on such benefits in the future, based on factors such as age, family size, health, and English proficiency.”[1] (Boundless, 2019)
This new rule would mean that immigrants already living in the United States legally would be forced to choose between benefits that could improve the quality of their lives and that of their families or leaving the place that many of them have sacrificed so much to get to. In a recent press conference “Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Ken Cuccinelli characterized [this shift] as part of a broader effort to foster more “self-reliance” [stating that] “Through the public charge rule, President Trump’s administration is reinforcing the ideals of self-sufficiency and personal responsibility, ensuring that immigrants are able to support themselves and become successful here in America”[2] (Rupar, 2019)
This “new policy does not impact refugees, asylees, [recipients of] VAWA, U/T visas, SIVs, Cuban/Haitian entrants, NACARA, or people with existing TPS status. [The change in] policy will impact immigrants currently without green cards (permanent resident status) who are also receiving public benefits or participating in federally-funded public support programs.”[3] (Rupar, 2019)
“Those seeking to file for a green card are strongly encouraged to file their applications before the October 15th deadline. Apllications “MUST be postmarked before October 14, 2019.”
After October 15th 2019 “someone who is receiving public benefits: Medicaid (with exceptions for emergency services, and coverage of children under age 21, and pregnant women), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Public Housing, Section 8 housing vouchers, Project-Based Section 8, or Cash assistance under SSI, TANF will have a difficult time obtaining their first green card.”[4] (International Institute of NE, 2019)
Those seeking to file for a green card are strongly encouraged to file their applications before the October 15th deadline. Applications “MUST be postmarked before October 14, 2019, and the application process can take several weeks.”[5] (International Institute of NE, 2019)
[1] Boundless (August 12th, 2019) Alert: ‘Public Charge’ Rule Set to Take Effect – What This Means for Immigrants https://www.boundless.com/blog/public-charge-rule-change/
[2] Rupar, Aaron (August 12th, 2019) Why the Trump administration is going after low-income immigrants, explained by an expert https://www.vox.com/2019/8/12/20802613/trump-public-charge-immigration-rule-change-explapined-marielena-hincapie
[3] Rupar, Aaron (August 12th, 2019) Why the Trump administration is going after low-income immigrants, explained by an expert https://www.vox.com/2019/8/12/20802613/trump-public-charge-immigration-rule-change-explapined-marielena-hincapie
[4] International Institute of New England (August 22nd, 2019) Information for immigrant families: Public Charge policy changes start October 15, 2019 https://iine.org/information-for-immigrant-families-public-charge-policy-changes-start-october-15-2019/
[5] International Institute of New England (August 22nd, 2019) Information for immigrant families: Public Charge policy changes start October 15, 2019 https://iine.org/information-for-immigrant-families-public-charge-policy-changes-start-october-15-2019/
