SENATOR RIVERA AND MEMBERS OF THE SENATE DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE CALL ON GOVERNOR CUOMO TO ADVOCATE FOR NEW YORK IMMIGRANT FAMILIES AGAINST FEDERAL PROPOSAL THREATENING THEIR ABILITY TO OBTAIN A PERMANENT IMMIGRATION STATUS

(Bronx, NY) - State Senator Gustavo Rivera and 13 members of the Senate Democratic Conference wrote to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo about the devastating impact a proposed regulation by the Trump administration to expand the definition of “public charge” in immigration proceedings, will have in New York State and the communities they serve. The 13 State Senators have requested Governor Cuomo’s assistance in coordinating a meeting between the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and their respective offices to discuss this potential shift in policy and the implications it would have.

If implemented, this regulation would severely impact the prospects of obtaining a legal immigration status for those New Yorkers and their family members who would be eligible to receive government benefits such as Medicaid, housing vouchers, or SNAP/food stamp benefits, among others. This regulation would make them susceptible to deportation and conceivably strip them of the critical services they need.

Currently, public charge is defined as an individual who is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for subsistence, as demonstrated by either the receipt of public cash assistance for income maintenance or institutionalization of long-term care at the government’s expense. If the proposed regulation is enacted, numerous additional public benefits and government programs would be added to the considerations for public charge determination. In doing so, a larger pool of applicants will be likely to be considered a “public charge”, deeming them inadmissible to obtain a permanent residency status.

“New York State has always embraced its immigrant roots and communities. Our State has flourished, in great part, due to the social, civic, and economic contributions of our immigrant communities. We should not punish them for trying to build a better future for themselves and their families, while they navigate our complicated and costly immigration process,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. "We call on Governor Cuomo to join us in the fight against a potentially harmful proposal from the federal government that could put in jeopardy the well-being and future of thousand of families that call New York home."

MEMBERS WHO SIGNED ON:

1. Senator Brad Hoylman

2. Senator James Sanders Jr.

3. Senator Liz Krueger

4. Senator Martin Malavé Dilan

5. Senator Marisol Alcantara

6. Senator John Brooks

7. Senator Brian Kavanagh

8. Senator David Carlucci

9. Senator Tony Avella

10. Senator Leroy Comrie

11. Senator Luis Sepulveda

12. Senator Toby Stavinsky

13. Senator Roxanne Persaud