Public Charge Legislative Briefing

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the "public charge" rule, which will punish immigrants using public benefits such as SNAP and Medicaid while seeking permanent residence status, on a 5-4 vote last week. This rule is set to begin its enforcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on February 24, 2020. 

Initial estimates show that  2.1 million New Yorkers including 680,000 children, will be impacted by this rule's chilling effect. Further,  New York State is set to lose federal funds estimated at $1.2-2.6 billion each year.  

In light of this recent development, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the Senate Health Committee and Assembly Member Victor Pichardo, Chair of the New York State Assembly Taskforce on New Americans will hold a briefing session which will include updates and information on community outreach, as well as strategy on what actions the New York State legislature can take to mitigate the harm to New York's immigrant communities.