Late Saturday night, the Department of Homeland Security released a draft of new “public charge” rules. If the rules were implemented, it could mean that immigrants who use services like Medicaid or SNAP will jeopardize their ability to stay in this country and become naturalized citizens.

This rule has not yet gone into effect, and it would not be retroactive – there is no need for immigrants who currently rely on these programs to disenroll. You can read a summary of the proposed changes here.

Everyone should be able to access food and medical care for themselves and their families. This proposal is already causing fear and confusion. Families are wondering if they have to choose between meeting their basic needs now and being split apart later. It is cruel and immoral. You can help in a few different ways:

• Only share accurate information from trusted sources like the New York Immigration Coalition or Make the Road New York or the National Immigrant Law Center and the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition nationally. Look for the hashtag #ProtectFamilies to find information.
• Look out for opportunities to submit comments – once the rule is formally posted there will be 60 days to tell the Administration in writing just how wrong this proposal is. HCFANY and others will share instructions and templates as they are written.
• Come out tonight to show your support for immigrants and to say no to this attack on them. We’ll add more events as we come across them.
  • New York City: There is a rally today Sept. 24 at 5:30 at the corner of Orchard and Delancey Streets, outside the Tenement Museum.