Discriminatory Health Insurance Proclamation Officially Rescinded!

Dear Allies,

This week, we are thrilled to share the news that the Biden Administration has rescinded the discriminatory Trump-era Health Insurance Proclamation. We are reminded of and grateful for the strength and power of this coalition, which was instrumental in blocking this policy from taking effect. 

This week, we are also sharing new KFF research and an upcoming webinar on the vaccine rollout in Latinx communities, as well as two sign-on opportunities.

On Friday, Presiden Biden revoked the Trump-era Health Insurance Proclamation. We thank the Biden administration for taking this action to revoke another hateful piece of Trump’s immigration agenda.

Signed by President Trump in October 2019, the Health Insurance Proclamation would have restricted immigration to the United States by people who cannot pay the full cost of health insurance or their health care out of pocket. In late October 2019, more than 400 organizations affiliated with the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition signed onto a letter opposing the Trump Health Insurance Proclamation. Ultimately, the Health Insurance Proclamation did not go into effect thanks to efforts by PIF friends and litigators to block the policy in court.

In its last days, the Trump DOJ dramatically increased fees for the nation’s most vulnerable immigrants – those in removal proceedings. At risk of permanent exile, family separation, and even death, these individuals must pay (or get a difficult-to-secure fee waiver) to apply for protection from removal and to file motions and appeals that are critical to a just outcome. Under Trump, fees went from about $100 to as high as $975. The American Immigration Council has written a sign-on letter urging the Biden Administration to repeal these fees and ensure that access to justice does not depend on ability to pay! You can read the letter here, and sign on here. The deadline to sign on is 5pm PT TOMORROW, May 20!

Join KFF and UnidosUS for an interactive web event tomorrow, Thursday, May 20th at 11 am ET / 8 am PT for the latest insights on what is working and what barriers must be overcome in ensuring equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccines for Latinos in the U.S., including new KFF survey findings from the community. For more information and to register for this event, click here.  

KFF analysis of state-reported data shows Hispanic and Black have received smaller shares of vaccinations compared to their share of cases and their share of the population in most states. New KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor data finds that access barriers and information gaps may be contributing to lower rates. For instance, the new research shows that approximately a third of unvaccinated Hispanic adults are concerned that by getting the COVID-19 vaccine they might negatively affect their own or a family member’s immigration status. Closing these gaps will be key to mitigating long-standing health and economic disparities and the disproportionate toll the pandemic has taken on these communities.

The Children Thrive Action Network (CTAN) is seeking national, state, and local organizations to sign on to a set of policy principles to advance the wellbeing of children of immigrants in the United States. These policy principles include a path to citizenship; advancement of the health, educational success, and economic security of children and their families; and promotion of child wellbeing and family unity in immigration policy. For us to have a society where all children can thrive, policymakers must consider the needs of children of immigrants when crafting policy. Deadline to sign on to the principles is COB Friday, May 28th. The principles can be found HERE, and organizations can sign on HERE. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Juan Gomez at [email protected].

In Solidarity,

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

Visit us at https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/