A rule that will allow federal immigration officers to count the use of a wide range of public assistance like CalFresh and Medi-Cal against green card applicants took effect Friday, Sept. 18, despite a multistate lawsuit filed Monday challenging it.
The Trump administration’s policy, referred to as public charge, gives immigration officers broader discretion to weigh food, health and other public assistance when reviewing certain green-card applications. It applies to covered adjustment-of-status applications postmarked or submitted electronically on or after this Friday.
My previous reporting identified a drop in CalFresh participation before new federal eligibility restrictions from H.R.1, the signature spending bill of Trump’s second term, took effect in April.
San Diego providers told me that immigration fears were already leading some green card holders and mixed-status families — households whose members have different immigration designations — to drop food assistance, even for their U.S.-citizen children.
Now, their the fear that use of public services will be used to deny green cards has come to pass.
I’m following what this change means locally and looking to talk with families that are concerned about the public charge rule and providers that work in healthcare and food security.
Are worries about a green-card application affecting whether your family or someone you know uses CalFresh, Medi-Cal or other assistance?
If you help families access food, health care or immigration services, are you seeing people decline aid, cancel appointments or rush to file applications?
I want to hear from you. Please reach out at jakekincaid@inewsource.org.