Last Week’s Victories!

Dear Allies,

It’s been one week since the news of the public charge rule being permanently blocked nationwide, and it is finally beginning to set in for many of us. We hope that you all took the time to celebrate this huge victory! We know that with many changes come many questions. The PIF team is hard at work updating our materials to reflect the news from last week on public charge, as well as the passing of the American Rescue Act.

This week, we are sharing some high-level analysis and updates from last week’s exciting news to help you stay informed on the two major policy events from last week. We are also sharing a new report from UC Davis on the importance of trauma-informed care in our healthcare systems.

The notice on the DHS/USCIS website indicates that USCIS stopped applying the 2019 public charge rule to all pending applications and petitions on March 9, 2021. Applicants no longer need to provide information or evidence that is solely related to the 2019 public charge rule. This means that people applying to adjust status should not submit the Form I-944 or any evidence or documentation required by it. USCIS will not consider any information that relates solely to the 2019 public charge rule, including, for example, information provided on the Form I-944.  If an applicant received a Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny, requesting information that is solely required under the 2019 public charge rule, and the response is due on or after March 9, 2021,  they do not have to provide it. In addition, USCIS posted a final rule that took effect on March 9, that removes the public charge regulatory text from the Code of Federal Regulations and discontinues the Form I-944 Declaration of Self -Sufficiency.  

Last week, President Biden signed into law a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, the American Rescue Act, which provides economic relief and support to individuals, communities, and states during the pandemic. The bill makes a big step forward by including the nearly 3 miIlion people from mixed–immigration status families who had previously been denied stimulus checks. Among those who will receive relief under this bill are U.S. citizens and lawfully present children in mixed-status families who were wrongfully denied stimulus checks previously. The bill also provides new funding for community health centers, schools, and health care systems, all of whom provide critical services to immigrants.  PIF applauds the passage of this legislation--though we acknowledge that more needs to be done to ensure equitable access COVID-19 supports for immigrants and their families. Over the next weeks, we will share resources and analysis about the American Rescue Act that will provide more detailed information about the law, how it impacts immigrants, and how states can leverage the significant new funding to support their communities. 

The Center for Reducing Health Disparities at UC Davis published an in-depth report from a three-part symposium they held last month. Speakers and panelists at the symposium shared current practices, approaches, challenges and recommendations in addressing the needs of immigrants and refugees suffering from a wide range of traumas, and are shared in the report. Major topics include trauma in immigrant families, how health systems and providers can deliver trauma-informed care to immigrant families, and financial impacts and policy solutions for trauma in immigrant families. 

• CBS News – On the Biden Administration’s ending the Trump public charge policy, quoting CLASP.
• Chicago Sun-Times – On the regulation’s reversal, focusing on PIF partners ICIRR and Shriver Center.
• NPR – On vaccination obstacles facing Latinx folks, featuring PIF partner We Count! Florida.

In Solidarity,

Eddie Carmona & Renato Rocha, on behalf of the PIF Team

Visit us at https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/