The Administration regulations on Public Charge inadmissibility law published in final form today threaten the health of thousands of California families. When proposed last fall, the regulation drew more than 266,000 public comments, overwhelmingly in opposition. Pars Equality Centeropposed the plan, as did pediatricians, hospitals, health insurers, public health officials, and other health leaders.
The final regulation puts admissions to the U.S. or applications for a “green card†at risk if an immigrant or a member of an immigrant’s family uses Medicare, Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly “Food Stampsâ€) or “Section 8†rent vouchers. Citizenship applications are not subject to the “public charge†regulation, and refugees, asylees, and other immigration statuses are also exempt. Conservative estimates peg the regulation’s impact at 26 million people nationwide. That includes the one-fourth of all children in the U.S. — the vast majority born here — who live in immigrant families. Experts expect unmet health care needs to rise, as well as hunger, child poverty, inadequate or unsafe housing, and other drivers of poor health outcomes.
Congress can act to block implementation of this dangerous policy, and several attorneys general and city governments have announced plans to sue.
Pars Equality Center is planning Education and Outreach events in Northern and Southern California to update the community on the impact of the Public Charge final rule. Please check our social media and website for upcoming events.