PIF Mourns Victims of This Weekend’s Violence; DHS’s Public Charge Rule Moves Closer to Finalization
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PIF MOURNS VICTIMS OF THIS WEEKEND’S VIOLENCE
We are deeply saddened and horrified by the mass shootings this weekend, and mourn with all of the affected communities. In the case of the shooting in El Paso, it is impossible to ignore the direct line between the violence that occurred this weekend and the Administration’s hateful racist and anti-immigrant actions and rhetoric. The perpetrators of these mass killings are being shaped by its hateful and divisive narrative and accompanying policies at the federal, state, and local levels that marginalize and demonize immigrant, Black, brown, LGBTQ, and other communities.
We are also deeply disturbed by reports that some victims of the shooting were afraid to seek medical attention for fear of immigration enforcement. It is critical that all people know their rights, and that hospitals and other health care facilities be preserved as safe spaces.
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DHS PUBLIC CHARGE RULE
MOVES CLOSER TO FINALIZATION
OMB is no longer taking EO 12866 meetings on the DHS public charge rule, and has concluded its review (Note: OMB is still reviewing the DOJ public charge rule). This means that the DHS rule could be posted for inspection any day now and officially published as a final rule the following day. Keep in mind that the rule will not take effect until at least 60 days after the official publication date.
There is also a chance the final rule could get leaked to media or posted on the DHS website even before it is posted for inspection. As you may remember from last year, DHS posted text of the proposed rule on their website in late September, but did not officially post the rule to the Federal Register until October. As soon as the rule is posted, we will let you know and schedule a call to let everyone know what is in the rule.
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DON’T GIVE UP HOPE!
Our Campaign is prepared to support you in the next phase of this work. The National Immigration Law Center and partner organizations plan to sue to block the final rule from taking effect, and we expect that it will be one of several lawsuits filed across the country. In the meantime, please educate your partners and community members so that they make the best informed decisions for themselves and their family .
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PREPARING FOR THE FINAL RULE
Please review our Take Action Checklist and check in with your staff and allies on how you plan to address the final DHS rule, such as:
- Have a rapid response plan. This will help coordinate tasks/roles and clarify what actions your organization plans to take. What are the goals you're hoping to achieve? Key activities (ie: Facebook Live, press briefing, etc)? Who needs to do and sign off on what? If your organization runs a coalition, we suggest that you prepare a rapid response plan for the coalition as well.
- Draft your materials for the day the rule is final. PIF will provide some initial analysis, but using your organization’s comments on the proposed rule, start to draft materials for the date of publication of the final public charge rule, like a press release or statement, blog postings, or social media content. There are several scenarios for how the final rule could look, so it is important to be flexible and cautious and wait to finalize these materials until we have the text of the final rule. Ideas include:
- Reach out to your Members of Congress. (See more details below)
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MEET WITH YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
DURING THE AUGUST RECESS
Members of Congress are on recess and back in their home districts. It’s the perfect opportunity to educate them about the cruelty of the public charge rule and ask your Representative to co-sponsor H.R. 3222, the No Federal Funds for Public Charge Act; speak out against the rule; and educate their constituents about the facts.
Hill staff have asked the PIF Campaign to provide more information on events that Members of Congress can join while they are back in their home districts. If the rule is finalized, involve your Members of Congress in your rapid response plans!
- Invite them to events like panel discussion, press events, or public demonstration as part of your rapid response.
- Join already scheduled town halls or other events and draw attention to the issue.
- Educate district staff about public charge and share educational materials so that they are ready to answer questions from their constituents.
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TAKE ACTION: COMMENT TO OPPOSE
HEALTH CARE DISCRIMINATION
The Trump Administration recently published a proposed regulation that would roll back the Health Care Rights Law (section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act). The rule would weaken protections from discrimination on the basis of national origin, including discrimination due to people’s inability to speak English, along with protections for LGBT people and others. Comments are due by August 13.
Here are a few helpful resources from our partners at Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Care Forum, the National Health Law Program, and others who are leading this effort:
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TAKE ACTION: PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD BEGINS
FOR PROPOSED RULE THREATENING SNAP
On July 24, the Trump Administration issued its latest attack on low-income families, targeting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The proposed rule would take food assistance away from 3 million people by making them ineligible to participate in SNAP, the nation’s first line of defense against hunger.
The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) has developed a platform where you can submit your comments to the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service opposing this proposed rule. The 60-day public comment period ends on September 23. Let the administration know that the proposed rule would increase hunger and poverty in this country, especially for working families with children whose net incomes are below the poverty line, and families and seniors with even a small amount of savings who would be kicked off of SNAP. Weakening SNAP only weakens our country.
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Thank you for your continued partnership!
Elizabeth Lower-Basch (Center for Law and Social Policy), and
Connie Choi (National Immigration Law Center), on behalf of the Co-chairs of the Protecting Immigrant Families Campaign
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