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** OCA Outraged Supreme Court Allows Anti-Immigrant Rule to Take Effect
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29 January 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Maddie Schumacher | Policy Associate
202.223.5500 | [email protected]

Washington, DC - OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates is outraged that the Supreme Court has allowed Trump’s harmful public charge rule to move forward, which was first released in August 2019. For low-income immigrant and mixed-status families who use public aid, the rule limits their ability to earn permanent residency and citizenship. Over the last six months, OCA has joined several amicus briefs against the rule, arguing that it is racially-motivated and disproportionately impacts immigrants of color. Yet, in a 5-4 vote today, the Supreme Court lifted the preliminary injunctions and authorized the government to penalize immigrants for past temporary aid usage.

The public charge rule designates applicants relying on temporary assistance - like SNAP food stamps, Medicaid, or housing assistance - as “public charges”, putting them at a much higher risk of having their green card applications denied. The rule also enables discrimination based on age, education, existing medical conditions, and income - leading some to call it a “wealth test”. Public charge not only harms current immigrants applying for residency but will also shape the future of U.S. immigration. Over the past year, talk of the rule has had a chilling effect on immigrant families: fear of being considered a “public charge” has triggered mass disenrollment from nutrition and healthcare programs, jeopardizing the well-being of immigrants and mixed-status families.

“It is extremely disappointing that the Supreme Court has allowed this anti-immigrant rule to go into effect,” said Rita Pin Ahrens, OCA National Executive Director. “Immigrants and refugees have built vibrant communities and economies in the U.S. Some, like my own family, have needed public assistance programs to help stabilize their situation and establish themselves. Further punishing those trying to find ways out of poverty is inhumane and frankly un-American. OCA calls on Congress to take action and co-sponsor Representative Judy Chu's No Federal Funds for Public Charge Act and Senator Mazie Hirono's Protect American Values Act.”

To support and protect immigrant families, send a quick message to your representative here.

OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national civil rights organization dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).
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