[This is a bi-weekly publication produced by Senior Policy Associate Cheasty Anderson. New issues will be posted here on this blog or you can subscribe to have them delivered directly to your inbox.]
Dear Partners and Friends,
Thank you so much for wanting to stay up to date on what’s happening. Here’s the latest roundup of immigration-related news, and our bi-weekly action opportunity. Please let me know as things cross your desk that you think might be of value for our next newsletter, and as always, feel free to forward to folks who might want to join our list.
Lead Stories:
Public Charge Rule Blocked
At this moment, five Federal judges have issued temporary injunctions to prevent the new Public Charge regulations from taking effect October 15th. These injunctions are very good news – for advocates and also for the millions of families who had been afraid of what this might mean for them. This regulation was the Trump Administration’s attempt to make an end run around Congress – to accomplish through executive action what they couldn’t do through legislation, even when they commanded the majority in both chambers.
The entire process has been designed to sow maximum fear and confusion with the intent of forcing eligible legal immigrants and citizen children off the programs, like Medicaid and Snap, that provide a stable foundation for their efforts to lift themselves out of poverty.
Our work now turns to letting families know that, at least for the immediate future, there will be no new public charge rule for green card applications submitted inside the United States – the old rules will still apply, but they can, for the moment, just wait for these legal challenges to make their way through the courts. We are so happy to see courts protecting immigrants across the country.
Trump Administration Prohibits Entry to Immigrants that Cannot Afford Healthcare
On October 4, President Trump issued a proclamation that blocks immigrants from staying in the U.S. if they cannot afford healthcare or hospital costs. Researchers estimate that this proclamation would cut legal migration by up to 65%. This proclamation is another attempt to harm immigrant communities and prevent immigrants from entering our country.
Migrant Children Sent to Mexico Under MPP are Exposed to Serious Illnesses
Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) are sending thousands of asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico’s for their court hearings, without any resources. Reuters reports that doctors at migrant shelters and camps on the border are seeing children with a variety of illnesses. There are cases of children with eye infections so severe they could result in blindness, mothers so dehydrated they can’t nurse, and children showing signs of early malnutrition. Families under MPP have little to no help, nor resources to protect their children from rampant violence and illness in the border areas.
Action Items:
Tell your member of Congress to support the No Federal Funds For Public Charge Bill
The public charge rule is hurting immigrant communities and would harm thousands of immigrants. The No Federal Fund for Public Charge Bill (HR 3222) would ensure that no federal funds go toward enforcing this rule. Help support this effort by calling your member of congress at (202) 224-3121 and urging them to support the bill.
Other Recent News of Interest:
- Families Belong Together Campaign Succeeds in Defunding 84.7% of Private Prison Funding
- DACA: Where We Are & What Could Happen Next
- How ICE Picks its Targets in the Surveillance Age
- Trump Administration Has Not Reinstated Medical Deferred Action
- ICE Moved 700 Women Out Of A Detention Center And Won’t Tell Lawyers Where They Are
- Sharp Cuts in Immigration Threaten U.S. Economy and Innovation
Thanks so much for reading and staying informed.