By Gabrielle Lessard AUGUST 31, 2020 Recent decisions by federal courts have significantly altered the “public charge” landscape, creating uncertainty about the extent to which the...
California has moved proactively to support immigrant families in response to restrictive federal immigration and safety net policies, but policies like the new “public charge” rule still pose risks, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new rule significantly expands the criteria for determining whether applicants for permanent residency, or green cards, may be denied based on past or potential use of government benefit programs.
The PIF Campaign recommends against proactively connecting coronavirus and public charge. In light of efforts by anti-immigrant activists to link immigration with infectious disease, PIF prefers to focus communication elsewhere.
This brief and funding recommendations considers the implications of the 'public charge' rule and how philanthropy can mount an effective immediate and long-term response.