Press Releases

On Monday, August 12, 2019 the Trump Administration released its new public charge rule, which will expand the definition of who is considered a “public charge” and make it more difficult for immigrants to come to the United States or receive green cards if they are likely to use certain benefits they are legally entitled to such as Medicaid, housing assistance, and nutrition assistance. The Chairs of the Congressional Tri-Caucus – Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Judy Chu (CA-27), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Karen Bass (CA-37), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Joaquin Castro (TX-20) – released the following statement on the final public charge rule:

“The Trump Administration’s new public charge rule is yet another cruel attempt to frighten and intimidate immigrant communities. It contradicts years of federal policy by restructuring our immigration system so that it favors the wealthy over communities of color and working families. Moreover, it relies on the false narrative that immigrants are a ‘burden’ on our country and ignores the fact that our country was built and continues to grow because of the contributions and sacrifices of immigrant families. The intent of this rule is to disregard that tradition and devalue the contributions of immigrants from all walks of life.

“This rule is detrimental to immigrant families who will now be forced to choose between taking care of their basic needs or having a future in America. We have already heard heartbreaking reports of immigrant families disenrolling from programs their families need because they are concerned that using benefits will jeopardize their immigration status.

“The line and letter of this rule reinforces the Trump Administration’s unwavering message that people of color and those most in need are not welcome here. That message has been made loud and clear through Stephen Miller and the Trump Administration’s push for increased immigration raids and xenophobic policies that erode our longstanding history as a nation of immigrants. The Congressional Tri-Caucus denounces this harmful rule and will continue to fight against the Trump Administration’s bigoted attempts to curtail legal immigration pathways to the United States.”

CAPAC Chair Judy Chu recently introduced legislation that would prevent federal funds from being used to implement the rule.