Public Charge Is Over

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The harsh and confusing public charge rules that were finalized last year were repealed yesterday! This means that immigrant families can continue to access the health, nutrition, and housing programs their family is eligible for, without worrying that it might hurt their chances to adjust immigration status.  

Weeks ago, South Carolina Appleseed joined 500 nonprofit organizations affiliated with the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition, urging president Biden to act quickly to reverse the Trump Administration’s public charge rules. Yesterday, the administration followed through, with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) stopping its defense of these rules and regulations in court. Soon after, the Supreme Court dismissed the pending appeals, and the 7th Circuit dismissed the government’s appeal as well. As a result, the Trump Administration’s 2019 public charge rule is permanently blocked, nationwide.

DHS/USCIS will now follow the policy in the 1999 Interim Field Guidance, which means immigrants and their families can once again safely access health, nutrition, and housing programs for which they are eligible.

Though this good news is welcome, there’s still much work to be done to make sure immigrant families can thrive. South Carolina Appleseed will continue to work with immigrant communities across the state to spread the word about this most recent update and will continue fighting for families trying to access their benefits.