Immigrant health

---

Read the latest on Public Charge from Protecting Immigrant Families

Florida Health Justice Project opposes the new "public charge" immigration rules that control how the use of public benefits affects an immigrant's legal status. For the first time, immigration officials will consider the use of critical non-cash benefits intended to safeguard the health, nutrition, housing and economic security of America's low-income families in making public charge determinations. States with large immigrant populations like Florida will be disproportionately impacted.
 
Since early 2018, in collaboration with local and national partners, FHJP led advocacy efforts in Florida to oppose the rule via submission of public comments. Prior to the rule’s release, we worked with Miami-Dade County Commissioners on a resolution opposing the administration’s draft proposal. The resolution, citing FHJP’s research, was adopted unanimously and shared as a national model. 
 
FHJP is now working with national, state, and local partners to educate the public about the rule. We are holding a series of workshops in the Miami, Tampa, and Orlando areas to train advocates and others who serve Florida’s immigrant communities about the new rule and its impact on immigrant families. Please stay tuned to this page for details about trainings scheduled over the coming weeks and months.

FHJP Publications & Presentations on Public Charge

New Trump Administration “Public Charge” Rule Threatens Health and Well-being of All Floridians (8/13/19)

Florida Health Justice Project Files Comments Opposing the Administration's Proposed Changes to the "Public Charge" Rule (12/8/18) 
​​
Proposed Changes to the Public Charge Rule Will Push Thousands of Florida's Children Out of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (11/14/18)

Proposed Changes To the Public Charge Rule will Cause Significant Loss of Health Care Coverage for Florida Children (11/14/18)

Advocates Urge Massive Public Comments Against Newest Attack on Immigrant Families (9/24/18)

Matt Childers speaking about the draft public charge rule changes and how they would affect immigrant families at the National Association of Latino Elected Officials’ policy institute. (9/15/18) Download slides
​
Public Charge: Another Threat to Florida's Immigrant Families (7/2/18)

Articles

Florida Health Justice Project Featured in the Miami Herald's Editorial Opposing the Administration's Proposed Changes to the "Public Charge" Rule  (12/6/18)

Proposed change to immigration rule may push Florida kids out of safety net  (10/11/2018)
​
South Florida Leaders Reject 'Public Charge' Policy That Denies Green Cards For Welfare Recipients (9/24/18)

AAFP Joins Opposition to Sweeping 'Public Charge' Change (9/24/18)

AAP Opposes Dangerous Public Charge Proposal (9/23/18)

ACU Opposes “Public Charge” Rule Change (8/24/18)
FHJP Board Member Dr. Fred Anderson assisted in drafting ACU's policy statement.

Materials

Public Charge Story Collection Flyer for Health Care Providers (6/27/18)
Click link to download flyer

Public Charge Story Collection Flyer for Advocates (6/25/18)
Click link to download flyer

FHJP's Matt Childers explains the impact of the new "Public Charge" rule on NBC6 News. Watch

Matt Childers  joined Miami-Dade County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava and other leading elected officials and advocates to oppose the draft public charge rule changes.

Matt Childers briefs a delegation of Latino state legislators from across the country about the draft public charge rule changes and how they would affect immigrant families’ participation in government safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP at the National Association of Latino Elected Officials’ policy institute in downtown Miami on September 15, 2018.