Trump Administration Public Charge Rule Toolkit - Families Usa Skip to Main Content

Trump Administration Public Charge Rule Toolkit

NOTICE: The new Public Charge test will make life difficult for many immigrants but it does NOT apply to everyone. Learn about your rights at protectimmigrantfamilies.org

Key Resources

Key Messages

  • The Trump administration says it is working to improve health care; yet, its public charge rule will rip access to health care from the grasp of millions of individuals. Many more will choose not to seek care because of fear.
  • The public charge rule will affect over 10 million documented immigrants.
  • Scores of working families, seniors and people with disabilities stand to lose access to health care because of the public charge rule.
  • This policy, which takes effect February 24, 2020, will affect approximately 10 million documented immigrants.
  • The Trump administration is essentially giving documented adult immigrants a choice: you can get a green card, or you can access medical care that you likely cannot afford. That is not acceptable as a matter of public health or our nation’s moral character. And the rule is actually illegal and an example of hubristic overreach.
  • In our health care system access to medical care often depends on access to basic benefits like Medicare and Medicaid. These programs are used by over a hundred million Americans—they are hardly special benefits. This regulation penalizes lawful, documented immigrants by denying permanent residency for using these basic components of how we access medical care.
  • Fear will rip health care from millions, and facts about who is not subject to the public charge rule are families’ best defense. Get the facts from protectimmigrantfamilies.org. Talk to an immigration lawyer if you have questions for yourself or your family.
  • The Administration’s public charge immigration restrictions endanger health coverage for 7.8 million U.S.-Citizen children with immigrant parents. Many will disenroll due to fear and misinformation. Restrictive immigration policies already contributed significantly to children’s coverage losses.
  • It is safe for children to enroll in Medicaid and CHIP. The new rule takes aim at immigrant adults’ Medicaid. Not everyone is affected. Get the facts before you take action.
  • Trusted community organizations need funding to provide robust public education. But a fully effective solution requires Congressional intervention.

Expert Twitter Handles

  • Eliot Fishman, Senior Director of Health Policy- @FishmanEliot
  • Cheryl Fish-Parcham, Director of Access Initiatives- @cparcham
  • Stan Dorn, Director of the National Center for Coverage Innovation- @standorn