The White House is expected to release a new executive order which would make it much more difficult for immigrants to both legally enter and legally stay in the U.S.
Sign up to mobilize your congregation to prepare now!
Under current immigration law, when people apply to enter the U.S. from abroad, or for permanent residency from within the U.S., they must prove that they will not rely on public benefits as their main source of support. This means the government considers the likelihood they will access cash benefits (SSI, TANF) or will need long-term care. This would deem them a “public charge,” and the government can deny them permission to come to or stay in the U.S.
But recent leaked documents indicate that this is about to change drastically -- expanding to include virtually any use of public programs that help people with low income. The test will also begin to include benefits that a person’s dependents access as well. So, for example, U.S. citizen children, who are legitimately eligible for programs like Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), could find that enrolling in the program as their means to get medical care ends up preventing their parents from coming to, or staying in, the U.S. legally.
Essentially, this rule change would force immigrant parents to choose between assuring their child’s basic needs are met or staying together as a family. Today, just 3 percent of potential immigrants fall into the “public charge” rule; the new rules could raise this to 47 percent. This policy would prevent families from joining together in the U.S. and could separate U.S. citizen children from their parents.
But here’s the hopeful news: the proposed rule cannot be implemented within the U.S., without going through a public rulemaking process in which federal officials will have to receive and reply to public comments. Therefore, the faith community has an opportunity to share why this policy runs counter to our Christian call and harms our communities.
The CRCNA has stated that justice for immigrants would mean more pathways to legal immigration, not fewer. This policy would aim to ensure that only those with wealth, education, strong health, and English proficiency may immigrate to the U.S. This policy wrongfully portrays immigrants as a burden to our communities, fails to recognize the value of family unity, and belittles the dignity of people who have not had access to the privileges that come with wealth.
For more infomation, visit our background page.