SCOTUS Update: Trump Public Charge Policy Remains Blocked!

Dear Allies,

We are relieved to share some news released earlier this week from the Supreme Court that the public charge regulations remain blocked. We are also sharing an exciting opportunity to provide comments to the Department of Homeland Security on how USCIS can reduce barriers in the way of obtaining immigration services and benefits. We know the organizing power of this network, and we encourage all of you to take advantage of this unique opportunity. Keep reading below for more information. 

Last week, DHS published a Request for Public Input on how USCIS can reduce administrative and other barriers that prevent people from obtaining available immigration services and benefits. Among the goals of the notice are to reduce confusion and remove obstacles in current policies that impede access to immigration benefits. As indicated by DHS, the type of information that will be most useful to submit will identify specific regulations or other policies at issue, include data, and provide viable alternatives.

The deadline to submit a comment is Wednesday, May 19. PIF encourages you to use this request as an opportunity to recommend that USCIS prioritize engaging in outreach to communicate to immigrants and their families members that they are safe accessing health, nutrition, and housing benefits, and swift rulemaking that builds on the policies in the 1999 Field Guidance. 

Earlier this week, the United States Supreme Court denied a request from Republican state attorneys general seeking to restore the Trump “public charge” regulations that effectively denied millions of immigrants and their families health care and economic support during the COVID-19 pandemic. The motion was filed by the attorneys general of Texas and 13 other states. As a result of the motion being denied, the Biden administration’s March 2021 reversal of the Trump policy remains in effect.

On Monday, PIF issued the following quote from Campaign Director, Eddie Carmona: “Trump’s public charge policy undermined America’s pandemic response and widened the racial disparities resulting from COVID-19. Millions in immigrant families need to know that it’s safe to get the health care and help they need. And our leaders in Washington need to know that policy that uses immigration status to deny people the help and care they need puts all of us at risk.”

Last week, PIF hosted a webinar for the local staff of Congressional district offices. These staff are front line workers and case managers in state and local Congressional offices who work directly with constituents. They answer questions and provide individual support so having up-to-date information about benefits, including COVID-19 vaccines, is important. The briefing provided an update on public charge and answered common questions that immigrants and their families have about accessing public programs and vaccines. The webinar described the important role that congressional offices play in educating constituents and also encouraged strong partnerships with community-based organizations who work directly with immigrants. 

The briefing was an important opportunity for education and partnership. PIF encourages all state and local partners to reach out to the local staff of their congressional delegation to provide updated information on public charge and to offer partnership opportunities. PIF has resources and tools available to use when reaching out. 

• Boston Globe – Op-ed by professors and doctor says we must drop the ID requirement if we’re serious about vaccinating immigrant families.

• Colorado Politics – Boulder County Democratic Party votes to reprimand Sen. John Hickenlooper for his vote in favor of a Republican amendment denying immigrant families pandemic aid.

• State of Reform – Washington State launches new immigrant families pandemic relief fund.

In Solidarity,

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

Visit us at https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/