In today’s newsletter, we are reflecting on the devastating news of the past week -- including what it means for our work and our communities.
** Our Fight for Justice
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Dear Allies,
In today’s newsletter, we are reflecting on the devastating news of the past week -- including what it means for our work and our communities. We have all been shaken by the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and a justice system that lacks accountability with no justice being served in the death of our sister Breonna Taylor. These events reinforce our strong belief that the fight for justice is a shared responsibility, and we have a long road ahead of us.
** Breonna Taylor
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At the Protecting Immigrant Families (PIF) Campaign, we stand against the systemic racism and structures of oppression ([link removed]) that have pervaded this country for over 400 years. We share in the pain in the Kentucky grand jury’s decision not to bring charges against the three officers for the death of Breonna Taylor. Not a single charge was directly tied to Breonna’s death. This decision is yet another example of the justice system upholding the violent structures of racism and oppression that it is built upon. Before turning to the following sections of the newsletter, please take a moment to read an excerpt of a reflection from Jamie Riley, Ph.D., CLASP’s director of racial equity ([link removed]) :
I know this news adds to the painful and devastating reality that generations of Black people have faced in this country. It adds to the centuries of turmoil and trauma that we’ve endured. This type of pain is traumatic and causes lasting, generational impact on our holistic health, our self-efficacy, and the ways in which we view this world. This moment raises up the importance of our policy and cultural work, and it is also about far more than our work -- but also about humanity, life, compassion, and well-being.
** The DHS Public Charge Rule & SCOTUS: What Happens Now?
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DHS Public Charge Rule is Now in Effect.
Earlier this month, we shared that the Second Circuit issued a decision which allows DHS to implement their public charge rule. Last week, USCIS updated its website ([link removed]) , re-posted the Form I-944, and told reporters the regulation is in effect. According to the website, DHS will apply its public charge regulation to all applications and petitions filed on or after February 24, 2020. The injunctions against the DOS Public Charge Rule and the President’s Health Insurance Proclamation remain in place. Please see PIF’s updated “What Advocates Need to Know ([link removed]) ” document for more information.
SCOTUS and Public Charge.
An advocate for social justice on our nation’s highest court, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg fought for equal rights for all people and helped protect and advance many of the issues that the PIF Campaign and our partners care deeply about. We join the nation in mourning the loss of such a powerful advocate and commit to honoring her legacy by fighting for a nation where all are truly equal.
The death of Justice Ginsburg has created heightened urgency for the future of equal rights in our nation, and specifically immigrants’ rights. The Trump administration has spent the last four years carrying out its cruel agenda centered on scapegoating immigrants. The Court’s role in holding the Trump administration accountable to the Constitution and the law remains critical for immigrants and their families, as we saw with the Court’s recent decisions on DACA and the census.
The appointment of a new justice has profound implications for public charge. As litigation efforts continue to make their way through the court system, we know that ultimately a public charge case is likely to be heard at the Supreme Court. Judge Amy Coney Barrett, in her current role as a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge, wrote a lengthy dissent in June ([link removed]) where she said she would have overturned a trial court ruling blocking the Trump administration’s efforts to tighten the “public charge” rule. We also know that the new Supreme Court will be hearing other cases of import for immigrants in addition to public charge, including DACA, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), the Affordable Care Act, access to reproductive health, and protections in the workplace. It is critical that the new justice on the Court continues to uphold equal rights for all Americans, regardless of what they look like or where they were born.
Let’s Honor RBG by Speaking Up. We encourage our PIF partners to contact U.S. Senate offices and share your stories about how this nomination is critical to protecting the rights of immigrants and their families. While millions of families are struggling through the pandemic and in need of economic relief, the Senate leadership has chosen to fast track a nomination instead of passing a critical COVID stimulus package.
Messages for Community Members. For key public charge messages for community members that remain an accurate source of information under any version of the rules, please see PIF’s Know Your Rights ([link removed]) document.
** Public Charge in the News
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* Capital Public Radio ([link removed]) – On California’s new law expanding immigrant eligibility for the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit.
* Yes! Magazine ([link removed]) – Summary of Los Angeles’ efforts to support immigrant families and businesses during the pandemic.
In Solidarity,
Eddie Carmona & Renato Rocha, on behalf of the PIF Team
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