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

Alison Yager informs educators about the Public Charge rule with an article for Southern Poverty Law Center's Learning for Justice blog
March 2022

The Chilling Effect of the Public Charge Rule:
Public Health Consequences

January 2021

Report

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

See All

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

Dr. Anderson
Dr. Anderson is a family physician in South Florida. He provides primary care services to uninsured residents and has been witnessing the chilling effects of public charge first hand. 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

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
USCIS Public Charge Interagency Letter

Does Public Charge Apply to Me? (March 2021)
Resource Recurso Resous

Public Charge Resources

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

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

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: