This week in immigration news – January 30, 2020
In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court voted to uphold President Trump’s “public charge” rule.
While the term “public charge” has been used in immigration law for decades, the Trump administration’s rule expands the definition to include programs that provide people with non-cash assistance, such as SNAP or housing vouchers.
What the Supreme Court did was temporarily lift the injunction against it. Cases against the expanded definition of the rule will continue in the courts as advocates are prepared to continue challenging the implementation of the rule.
For now, those who are eligible are urged to remain enrolled in SNAP and other programs. For more information, visit protectingimmigrantfamilies.org and our latest blog post on the subject.
https://blog.unidosus.org/2020/01/28/supreme-court-rules-on-public-charge/
There has been substantial confusion about public charge since the change was proposed in 2018. Advocates in the state have had on-going problems with ensuring that eligible people don’t disenroll from programs that their families need.
Some note that people who wouldn’t be affected are even disenrolling to try and protect family members, and that there could be consequences for public health if this rule remains in place.
While no details have been released about his treatment while in ICE custody, his death and others (he is the sixth person to die in ICE custody since October), have caused advocates to renew criticism of the conditions in ICE’s detention facilities. This particularly after a report from the Department of Homeland Security inspector general was issued last year that detailed the unsanitary conditions, spoiled food, and harsh treatment that migrants received while at the detention centers.
A report from CNN shows what it’s like to be a migrant at the border.
