Immigrant Health

Issue Summary: Public Charge

Victory! The 2020 public charge rule is permanently blocked, nationwide.

On March 9, 2021 the Biden Administration decided to stop defending lawsuits challenging the Trump-era public charge regulations. Federal courts reacted immediately, dismissing the government’s appeals. This means that the final judgment entered in the Northern District of Illinois on Nov 2, 2020, which vacated the public charge rule nationwide is now in effect. We applaud and celebrate with all of the litigators and plaintiffs, advocates and community members who worked to overturn this harmful rule.
 Reports and Publications
​​The Chilling Effect of the Public Charge Rule:
Public Health Consequences
​
                                                        January 2021
Fighting Fear with Facts:
New Public Charge Rule Sows Fears Among Immigrants

                                                      February 2020
​Public Charge:
Another Threat to Florida's Immigrant Families

                                                                 July 2018

​FEATURED STORYTELLERS
Florida Health Justice Stories - Immigrant Health

​
​Hipolito
​After relocating to Miami with the hopes of providing a better life for his family, Hipolito's dream soon turned into a nightmare when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the economy. He is now struggling to make ends meet and worries about not having healthcare for his family.  Read more
​
​Mark
​“I have been an educator for over 13 years, and I know the important role that education has in the lives of immigrant families and their children. When they are healthy, children can be in the classroom, and that is where great things can happen!”​ Read more

​Tatiana
​“Everyone deserves the same basic right to health care. No one should be forced to choose between seeking medical care or possible deportation."​ Read more

Resources

The ABCs of Public Charge (March 2021)
Resource
Does Public Charge Apply to Me? (March 2021)
Resource          Recurso          Resous
English
What to Know When Enrolling Your Kids in Public Benefits
Resource
Español
¿Qué Debo Saber al Momento de Inscribir a mis Hijos en los Programas de Salud y Alimentación?
Recurso
Haitian Creole
Kisa Mwen Dwe Konnen Le  Yo Enskri Pitit Mwen Pou Benefis Piblik? 
Resous

FHJP Voices in the News

FHJP's Alison Yager quoted in New York Times Article: Even as the Economy Grew, More Children Lost Health Insurance | Read more
FHJP Featured in the Miami Herald's Editorial Opposing the Administration's Proposed Changes to the "Public Charge" Rule | Read more
​
​Op-Ed in Miami Herald directed at Rubio re Heroes Act | Read more

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Proposed change to immigration rule may push Florida kids out of safety net | Read more

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​South Florida Leaders Reject 'Public Charge' Policy That Denies Green Cards For Welfare Recipients | Read more
FHJP's Alison Yager wrote an Op-Ed for The Sun Sentinel: Immigrants are Critical for Florida's Economic Recovery | Read more
We are grateful for the assistance of our volunteer translators, and pro bono translation services from:

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The Florida Health Justice Project, a nonprofit organization, recognizes that access to quality and affordable health care is a human right and engages in comprehensive advocacy to expand healthcare access and promote health equity for vulnerable Floridians.
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