On September 7, the Trump administration took another step toward eliminating basic protections for immigrant children and their families who enter the U.S. without documentation—including those legally seeking asylum, by issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking (proposed regulation) that would dismantle constitutional protections for children established by the Flores Settlement Agreement governing the detention and treatment of children in U.S. immigration custody.

Families USA commented on the Trump Administration’s proposed “public charge” rule. Under the administration’s proposal, immigrants could be considered a public charge, and therefore denied entry to the country or denied the right to adjust status and become a lawful permanent resident, if they receive Medicaid or certain other public benefits for a period of time.

Families USA is encouraged to see oral health coming up early in the 116th Congress with Senator Cardin introducing S. 22, the Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2019 earlier this week. This legislation serves as an important opportunity for Congress to take a major step to improve the oral health, overall well-being, and financial security of seniors and people with disabilities in this country. Families USA is proud to join our partners at Oral Health America, Justice in Aging, and the Center for Medicare Advocacy in a letter supporting the major provisions of this bill.