The following media release from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus was shared on Monday afternoon:
SAN ANTONIO — Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s new public charge rule, which will deny green cards to immigrants who use or may use public benefits they are legally entitled to such as housing assistance, health programs and nutrition assistance:
“The Trump Administration public charge rule is yet another attempt to generate fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities. The Administration is trying to portray this public charge rule as a way to enforce ‘self-sufficiency’ on immigrants and prevent them from becoming a ‘burden’ on our country. The fact is that immigrant families are not a burden to the United States—their hard work and sacrifices built our country. Immigrants contribute billions to our economy and enrich our communities, working long hours to give their families a better life here in the United States. They’re just trying to pay the bills, keep a roof over their heads, and feed their children.
“This new rule will mean that many immigrant families may no longer use critical programs they are legally entitled to that help their families thrive. As a result, some families may go hungry or become homeless in fear of risking a future green card. Others may be permanently separated because their loved ones are now disqualified from receiving a green card. This rule will have a devastating impact and harm millions of families, vulnerable communities, and children, many of whom are American citizens.
“We would not be the nation we are today without the contributions and sacrifices of immigrants who came to this country with nothing in their pockets. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus denounces this new rule, which is a thinly veiled excuse for a racially-motivated test to deny immigrants green cards based on their wealth. We must stand by our American values and fight this rule in the courts until it is struck down. The Trump Administration cannot be allowed to use their power to create multiple barriers that intentionally make obtaining legal immigration status impossible.”
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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.
