Bicameral Legislation to Block The Administration’s Public Charge Regulation
September 24, 2019By Marie Camino
Last week, following the release of the final Public Charge regulation, Senator Maizie Hirono (D-HI) introduced the Protect American Values Act, Senate companion legislation to the No Federal Funds for Public Charge Act (H.R. 3222). The bill would prohibit the government from using federal funds to enforce the Department of Homeland Security’s recent regulation changing the definition of a public charge. For a full overview of the final rule, check out this blog post.
The regulation, due to be implemented on Oct. 15, would deny entry or green cards to immigrants based on their use of human service programs that provide the services and supports needed to help all members of our communities thrive.
Later this year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is expected to release a companion rule regarding deportability on public charge grounds. The National Assembly opposes both inadmissibility and deportability based on use of public benefits, and has signed on to a letter of support for draft legislation that would deny funding to the DOJ rule.