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Statement on Trump Administration’s Proposed “Public Charge” Rule Denying Poor People the Opportunity for Immigration Status and Citizenship

Farmworker Justice (FJ) condemns the Trump Administration’s proposed changes to immigration policy regarding the “public charge” requirement that would deny visas and permanent resident status, and ultimately U.S. citizenship, to low-wage immigrant workers.  

 The proposed rule drastically expands the public benefit programs that would be considered in a public charge determination, including SNAP, Medicaid, and housing assistance. It also imposes an income test of 125% of the Federal Poverty Level ($15,175 for a single individual) under which an immigrant who earns below that income will find it much more difficult to enter the U.S. or adjust his or her status.

Farmworkers and other low-wage immigrant workers will be disproportionately harmed by this rule. Farmworkers’ wages are among the lowest of any occupation and their poverty rates are substantially higher than the national average. Instead of accessing programs that they and their families are already eligible for, farmworkers will be forced to make impossible choices about their health and well-being and will be driven further into the margins of the economy.

“The Administration would punish our farmworker families who earn low wages while working long hours in dangerous conditions to produce our food,” said Bruce Goldstein, President of Farmworker Justice, a national advocacy organization.  He added, “Farmworker Justice and our allies advocate many policy solutions that would help farmworkers improve their wage rates and reduce their poverty rates.”   

Our country thrives when we support and value the contributions of farmworkers and other immigrant communities. Farmworker Justice will work with advocates across the country to oppose this rule. We encourage everyone to share stories and, once the proposed rule is published, submit comments.

More information about public charge can be found on the Protecting Immigrant Families website. FJ will keep our networks posted on any developments.  For more information, you may contact Alexis Guild, Senior Health Policy Analyst, Farmworker Justice, (202) 372-7422, aguild@farmworkerjustice.org.

Farmworker Justice

www.farmworkerjustice.org

Sept. 24, 2018

Download a copy of this post here

Farmworker Justice (FJ) condemns the Trump Administration’s proposed changes to immigration policy regarding the “public charge” requirement that would deny visas and permanent resident status, and ultimately U.S. citizenship, to low-wage immigrant workers.  

 The proposed rule drastically expands the public benefit programs that would be considered in a public charge determination, including SNAP, Medicaid, and housing assistance. It also imposes an income test of 125% of the Federal Poverty Level ($15,175 for a single individual) under which an immigrant who earns below that income will find it much more difficult to enter the U.S. or adjust his or her status.

Farmworkers and other low-wage immigrant workers will be disproportionately harmed by this rule. Farmworkers’ wages are among the lowest of any occupation and their poverty rates are substantially higher than the national average. Instead of accessing programs that they and their families are already eligible for, farmworkers will be forced to make impossible choices about their health and well-being and will be driven further into the margins of the economy.

“The Administration would punish our farmworker families who earn low wages while working long hours in dangerous conditions to produce our food,” said Bruce Goldstein, President of Farmworker Justice, a national advocacy organization.  He added, “Farmworker Justice and our allies advocate many policy solutions that would help farmworkers improve their wage rates and reduce their poverty rates.”   

Our country thrives when we support and value the contributions of farmworkers and other immigrant communities. Farmworker Justice will work with advocates across the country to oppose this rule. We encourage everyone to share stories and, once the proposed rule is published, submit comments.

More information about public charge can be found on the Protecting Immigrant Families website. FJ will keep our networks posted on any developments.  For more information, you may contact Alexis Guild, Senior Health Policy Analyst, Farmworker Justice, (202) 372-7422, aguild@farmworkerjustice.org.

Farmworker Justice

www.farmworkerjustice.org

Sept. 24, 2018

Download a copy of this post here