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August 29, 2019 | Volume 23, No. 8 | Archives
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| Stand Up for Immigration Justice
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by Barbara DiPietro, Ph.D., Senior Director of Policy
We don’t usually focus on immigration here at the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. Sure, we support our national partners in their advocacy for immigration justice, and of course, the Health Care for the Homeless community is comprised of many people who identify as immigrants. But now it feels imperative that we all rise up to fight continued efforts to imprison, terrorize, and deny basic human rights to immigrants and their families. This issue concerns all of us—not just those who “do immigration” as part of their traditional mission.
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This is about inclusion, decency, and fairness.
This is about the fundamental human right to access health care and housing.
This is about the universal desire to seek safety and economic mobility.
This is about us as a country, as a nation of ideals, values, and aspirations.
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We owe it to ourselves and our patients to stand tall and advocate for justice based on the same principles and values we apply to those experiencing homelessness. Below is information related to the latest policy change from the Administration. There will be more changes on the horizon, and we have to keep fighting. Will you join us and commit to being a more active voice in your community on immigration policy?
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| Q&A: Public Charge and the HCH Community
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1. What is “public charge”?
The public charge assessment is a longstanding test used to determine an immigrant’s eligibility for citizenship. The public charge test applies to people who are applying to enter the United States, become a lawful permanent resident (obtain a green card), or when a green card holder leaves the U.S. for 6 months or longer and comes back.
2. Why are we talking about this now?
In October 2018 the Department of Homeland Security published a proposed rule that would make the public charge assessment more stringent and punish people who use public benefits. The Council commented on the proposed rule, along with 200,000 others. This month the Department of Homeland Security published the final rule, which will take effect on October 15, 2019. Numerous states have filed lawsuits to stop this rule from taking effect. Stay tuned for more info on this!
3. What changes with the final rule?
The prior public charge test considered the use of only two types of benefits: cash assistance for income maintenance (e.g., TANF and SSI) and long-term institutionalization at the government’s expense. The new and final definition now includes a person deemed likely to “receive one or more public benefit…,” which includes Medicaid, food stamps, and housing assistance. The test will also consider an individual’s income, age, health, and family status.
4. What does this mean for the Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) community?
This rule will make it harder for our low-income families, neighbors, and patients to obtain citizenship in the U.S. These changes will also cause many adults in immigrant families to avoid using public benefits, which is vital to the health and well-being of our patients. Finally, the “chilling effect” of this rule will cause many otherwise-eligible individuals to avoid enrolling in benefits altogether (or worse, to avoid seeking health care services).
5. How do I talk to my patients about this?
Start by sharing the facts: Using public benefits will not automatically make someone a public charge. Immigration enforcement activities are prohibited in health care settings (with rare exceptions). Health care information is still protected. The rule does not apply to every immigrant. Read and share these two-page info sheets for more information so you (and your clients) are better informed:
6. What can we do to fight back?
- Proactively assure patients of their safety and their rights. HCH programs mitigate the effects of harmful policies by providing compassionate and culturally informed care to vulnerable people. By continuing to provide services to all who need it, we are fighting back. Empower your clients by educating them on their rights, connecting them to resources, and making it clear that all are welcome.
- Share your story. As health care providers we have a valuable perspective on the impact of this rule. Help us document the harm/chilling effect of this rule by sharing how this rule affects you and your patients and/or clinic operations.
- Email or call (443) 703-1337 to share your perspective or learn more.
- Reach out to your members of Congress. Ask your Representative to support HR 3222- No Federal Funds for Public Charge.” If you have an existing relationship with a Congressperson, educate them and their staff on the impact this is making on your clients and clinic operations. The Council can assist with outreach: contact us.
- Find resources, data, fact sheets, and more at ProtectingImmigrantFamilies.com and from our partners at the National Immigration Law Center.
- ICYMI: the Council released a Poverty Policy Podcast episode on Immigration Policy featuring an interview with Wendy Cervantes, the Senior Immigration Policy Analyst at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP). Find us on SoundCloud, iTunes and Stitcher.
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New Damaging Proposals Open for Comment
- Cutting food assistance: Food assistance is at risk. Just months after Congress rejected cuts to our most important food assistance program (SNAP), the Administration is now proposing major cuts through executive action. Get more information. The Council is finalizing our comments and encourage you to borrow language from our letter so you can submit your own! Email us for a copy. Deadline for comments: Monday, September 23.
- Allowing housing discrimination: The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is proposing to dismantle a critical tool for combatting discrimination in housing for people of color, LGBTQ, and other vulnerable populations. Get more information and look for the Council’s template letter in next month’s Mobilizer. Deadline for comments: Friday, October 18.
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- In September we advocated for the Presidential debates to include questions about homelessness and housing, sharing a letter signed by 8 other national organizations asking candidates to address homelessness in their campaigns. While homelessness was briefly mentioned once by Senator Sanders, it was not truly discussed. Mark your calendars for join us on September 9th at 12 p.m. ET to tweet @ ABC and ask them to include homelessness on the debate stage. View our sample tweets.
- Meanwhile, this summer more candidates released their plans for housing and health care and have continued to refine their positions since the last debates. Some have softened their stance related to Medicare for All after initially strongly supporting it.
- Also, Gillibrand and Buttigieg released plans on mental health and addiction.
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New Poverty Policy Podcast: Episode 5: "Work"
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Our newest podcast discusses employment, people living in poverty, and how Medicaid work requirements push people further into poverty. The podcast features an interview with Kevin De Liban, attorney at Legal Aid of Arkansas, and Tsedeye Gebreselassie, attorney and Director of Work Quality at the National Employment Law Project (NELP). Learn more about the connection between work, poverty, and policy in our latest episode now on iTunes and Stitcher.
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What We're Reading & Watching
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Did you receive Mobilizer as a forwarded email or hear about it via social media? Register now to receive our action alerts each month!
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This publication and all HCH advocacy are funded by dues from Organizational Members of the Council and by private donations. Consider joining the Council to support this work.
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PO Box 60427 | Nashville, TN 37206 US
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