Today the Trump administration’s wealth test for immigrants goes into effect.
The “public charge” rule has already spread fear and confusion in immigrant communities.
Let’s unpack how we got here. Thread.
The “public charge” rule has already spread fear and confusion in immigrant communities.
Let’s unpack how we got here. Thread.
The clause in immigration law barring anyone “likely to become a public charge” dates to late 19th c. It has been used to discriminate—against lgbtq+ ppl, ppl with disabilities, workers during Great Depression, Jews escaping Nazi Germany. See for e.g. Canaday’s Straight State: 
The great, late, Aristide Zolberg talked about immigration policy as building “a nation by design”
The design of this rule is clear: to build a nation for wealthy people of European descent, and keep everyone else out.
hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?is…
The design of this rule is clear: to build a nation for wealthy people of European descent, and keep everyone else out.
hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?is…
The new rule defines a public charge as one who receives “one or more public benefit for more than 12 months in the aggregate within any 36-month period” and considers these in-kind benefits for the first time along w cash assistance: SNAP, housing assistance, some Medicaid.
As historians make clear, this definition departs radically from longstanding definition of public charge
oag.ca.gov/system/files/a…
oag.ca.gov/system/files/a…
This new rule takes the place of longstanding guidance, which construed public charge narrowly, in part out of recognition that broadening its scope violates our vision of being a nation that offers equality and opportunity for all.
justice.gov/sites/default/…
justice.gov/sites/default/…
The Trump administration’s public charge rule is a direct product of drum beating by anti-immigrant orgs bankrolled by racist billionaires
nyti.ms/2Mf71Od
nyti.ms/2Mf71Od
The new rule is complicated and confusing, which is part of its power.
Research from @urbaninstitute shows that in response, families have been avoiding services, even if they are not and will never need to pass the public charge test.
urbn.is/2WgAOKV
Research from @urbaninstitute shows that in response, families have been avoiding services, even if they are not and will never need to pass the public charge test.
urbn.is/2WgAOKV
@urbaninstitute .@CtrSocialPolicy we are committed to fighting fear with facts. Remember:
Only some families applying for green cards are subject to the public charge test
Only some public benefits are considered as part of the test
E.g. WIC, CHIP, school lunches, food banks etc DO NOT COUNT
Only some families applying for green cards are subject to the public charge test
Only some public benefits are considered as part of the test
E.g. WIC, CHIP, school lunches, food banks etc DO NOT COUNT
@urbaninstitute @CtrSocialPolicy As the fight against this abhorrent new rule continues in the courts, we must make sure that all families and communities know their rights:
protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/know-your-righ…
protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/know-your-righ…
