2020
Community Resource Center Responds to Public Charge Changes
Contact:
Jirandy Martinez at jmartinez@crcny.org or (914) 835-1512
Press Release
Community Resource Center Responds to Public Charge Changes
Mamaroneck, NY—On Monday, in a 5-4 vote the Supreme Court of the United States granted the Trump administration’s request to stay the previously issued federal injunction that blocked the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) public charge rule from going forward. The Court’s decision lifts the federal injunction and allows the administration’s changes to go forward.
The changes to the public charge rule means immigrants who access certain federally-funded programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, and subsidized housing assistance could be deemed public charges and, as a result, have their applications for green cards or certain visas denied. Not all immigrants are affected by the rule, as it excludes legal permanent residents, refugees, asylees, victims of trafficking, and other protected groups. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for most public benefits, and therefore will similarly not be affected by the rule. New Yorkers who have questions about the new rule and whether it applies to them should contact the Office for New Americans hotline at 1-800-566-7636 to receive more information.
"The Supreme Court's vote on public charge has profound implications on our immigrant community. While Community Resource Center believes in self-sufficiency, these changes will heavily impact the way our families live and access their safety-net of services. Living in Westchester is expensive enough, but now not only will families be more susceptible to living in dire conditions without these benefits, but the fear of being targeted will have a ripple effect on other services they could receive and are eligible for but will deny out of confusion and misinformation. Our families will suffer and our collective work just got more complicated," says Jirandy Martinez, Executive Director.
"It is disappointing and disheartening to hear that today the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the new Public Charge law that not only makes significantly difficult for immigrants to obtain green cards (permanent status) but also will force families to choose their immigration status over the well-being of their families. Since the Trump administration announced their revised Public Charge rule in August 2019, many low income families have voluntarily been opting out of essential programs such as food, housing, health care, and other benefits to avoid the possibility of being denied a chance to become permanent residents. In fear of deportation, these families are forced to choose their immigration status over putting food on their tables, providing their families with decent housing, proving their children access to medical insurance and other important needs. Unfortunately, this decision will increase the burden on community based organizations that will see an increased demand for essential needs that will cause rapid exhaustion of funding leaving our community without recourse," says Janet Fry, Deputy Executive Director.
“The Supreme Court’s decision is devastating for completely legal immigrant families that may fall on hard times through no fault of their own. It is possible for anyone to lose their job or become sick or disabled temporarily. No family, immigrant or otherwise, should have to make the choice between seeking basic necessities and losing everything that you know and love. This is the reality for immigrant families that cannot seek medical care or temporary nutritional or housing services. Our Immigration and Citizenship laws and policies are a direct reflection of what we value in our citizens. This decision, in conjunction with other immigration laws and policies put forth by this administration, make it clear that we, as a nation, no longer honor the poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty welcoming the tired, poor, and even homeless, “says Stephanie Ramos, CRC Immigration Attorney.
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Community Resource Center (formerly Hispanic Resource Center) is a 501 (c)(3) community-based organization founded in 1998 to promote the cultural, economic, educational and professional integration of immigrants to the already established larger community and to advocate for those in need. We aim to provide the tools to prepare new immigrant families to become self-sufficient and active members of the community.
Jirandy Martinez at jmartinez@crcny.org or (914) 835-1512
Press Release
Community Resource Center Responds to Public Charge Changes
Mamaroneck, NY—On Monday, in a 5-4 vote the Supreme Court of the United States granted the Trump administration’s request to stay the previously issued federal injunction that blocked the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) public charge rule from going forward. The Court’s decision lifts the federal injunction and allows the administration’s changes to go forward.
The changes to the public charge rule means immigrants who access certain federally-funded programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, and subsidized housing assistance could be deemed public charges and, as a result, have their applications for green cards or certain visas denied. Not all immigrants are affected by the rule, as it excludes legal permanent residents, refugees, asylees, victims of trafficking, and other protected groups. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for most public benefits, and therefore will similarly not be affected by the rule. New Yorkers who have questions about the new rule and whether it applies to them should contact the Office for New Americans hotline at 1-800-566-7636 to receive more information.
"The Supreme Court's vote on public charge has profound implications on our immigrant community. While Community Resource Center believes in self-sufficiency, these changes will heavily impact the way our families live and access their safety-net of services. Living in Westchester is expensive enough, but now not only will families be more susceptible to living in dire conditions without these benefits, but the fear of being targeted will have a ripple effect on other services they could receive and are eligible for but will deny out of confusion and misinformation. Our families will suffer and our collective work just got more complicated," says Jirandy Martinez, Executive Director.
"It is disappointing and disheartening to hear that today the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the new Public Charge law that not only makes significantly difficult for immigrants to obtain green cards (permanent status) but also will force families to choose their immigration status over the well-being of their families. Since the Trump administration announced their revised Public Charge rule in August 2019, many low income families have voluntarily been opting out of essential programs such as food, housing, health care, and other benefits to avoid the possibility of being denied a chance to become permanent residents. In fear of deportation, these families are forced to choose their immigration status over putting food on their tables, providing their families with decent housing, proving their children access to medical insurance and other important needs. Unfortunately, this decision will increase the burden on community based organizations that will see an increased demand for essential needs that will cause rapid exhaustion of funding leaving our community without recourse," says Janet Fry, Deputy Executive Director.
“The Supreme Court’s decision is devastating for completely legal immigrant families that may fall on hard times through no fault of their own. It is possible for anyone to lose their job or become sick or disabled temporarily. No family, immigrant or otherwise, should have to make the choice between seeking basic necessities and losing everything that you know and love. This is the reality for immigrant families that cannot seek medical care or temporary nutritional or housing services. Our Immigration and Citizenship laws and policies are a direct reflection of what we value in our citizens. This decision, in conjunction with other immigration laws and policies put forth by this administration, make it clear that we, as a nation, no longer honor the poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty welcoming the tired, poor, and even homeless, “says Stephanie Ramos, CRC Immigration Attorney.
###
Community Resource Center (formerly Hispanic Resource Center) is a 501 (c)(3) community-based organization founded in 1998 to promote the cultural, economic, educational and professional integration of immigrants to the already established larger community and to advocate for those in need. We aim to provide the tools to prepare new immigrant families to become self-sufficient and active members of the community.