(Black PR Wire) The Trump administration’s recently issued regulation that broadens the definition of “public charge” is another hateful attempt to exclude low-income, working-class immigrants of color.  The administration’s animus against immigrants of color is hidden in plain sight. 

The new rule, which goes into effect on Oct. 15, would redefine “public charge” as a person who has used certain government benefits and make it much easier to shut out anyone earning less than 250% of the federal poverty line ($64,375 for a family of four).  While purportedly focusing on “controlling” immigration and U.S. borders, this policy will have an exponentially harmful impact on the lives of hard-working legal residents, naturalized and US born citizens.  The anticipated consequences will range from food insecurity, housing security, increased use of emergency rooms, increased vulnerability to fraud and scams.

This regulation also impedes family reunification, for example, as a mother who has children living in Haiti cannot assume that she can petition for her children to join her under these harsher policies if she has received any support from the government through public benefits, such has subsidized housing, free and reduced lunch, Medicaid, and other public benefits.  

Sant La is unfortunately too familiar with what happens when immigration policies are tied to the ‘public charge ‘rule. Fear and confusion will rein across our community. Parents will disenroll their children in health insurance programs such as KidCare, Medicaid as well as the free and reduced lunch program. Children, even US born children, will be the collateral damage. We are extremely concerned that this policy will be deeply harmful to our low-income immigrant communities and we join our voices with those of leaders and advocates across the country who have denounced this regulation. We will also remain vigilant in monitoring and documenting the real impact of this regulation on our children and families.  

About the Haitian Neighborhood Center, Sant La: Sant La is a neighborhood resource center whose mission is to empower, strengthen and uplift South Florida's Haitian community by providing free access to information and existing services to ensure its successful integration. Since 2001, Sant La, has become a lifeline for the Haitian/Haitian American community. Sant La has accomplished this through community outreach, organizational partnerships, collaboration, documentation of needs, capacity building, civic engagement and impactful services. Sant La has also created a television program “Teleskopi” as an outreach tool to inform and engage the Haitian American community, thus enhancing Sant La’s ability to link people to resources.