On December 8th we held our Public Charge Comment Event, outside the Jackson Heights Post Office. The aim was to help as many people as possible make their comments against the Trump administration’s Public Charge Proposal. The turnout was fantastic, and it was a joy to see so much of our community getting involved. Thank you to everyone who participated, and to Isa Newman-Rodriguez for the pics!
Click each image to see it full size.
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Update (10/11/19): A Judge in New York has issued a nationwide preliminary injunction which stops the Department of Homeland Security’s “public charge” regulation from going into effect. This is a victory for immigrant families. The legal fight will continue, but for now, the rules in the United States have not changed.
President Trump’s “Public Charge” proposal will force millions of immigrants to choose between public services and seeking permanent residence, by making it harder for those who have used public services to get their Green Card.
Before the rule can be finalized, however, the administration is required by law to review and respond to every unique public comment they receive.
To make your voice heard, follow these instructions:
What should you write in the comment box?
This rule will threaten the health and well-being of my children.
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I disagree with this rule because I have paid my taxes and should be entitled to receive help without jeopardizing my chance for a Green Card.
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This rule could cost our economy $164 billion a year and drive up poverty, hunger & housing needs.
Update (10/11/19): A Judge in New York has issued a nationwide preliminary injunction which stops the Department of Homeland Security’s “public charge” regulation from going into effect. This is a victory for immigrant families. The legal fight will continue, but for now, the rules in the United States have not changed. We will be updating this website in the coming days to reflect this.
This information was presented at a meeting, held at PS 69, Jackson Heights, on Tuesday November 20, by Claudia Calhoun (Senior Director of Immigrant Integration Policy, New York Immigrant Coalition).
The purpose of the meeting, and this post, was to correct the ongoing misinformation about these proposed changes to the Green Card application process, and to encourage people to submit comments to the government during the current comment period.
The Trump administration is proposing changes to the Green Card application process which would take into account whether or not the applicant has previously used certain public benefits. The ‘Public Charge’ rule would mean that any immigrants using these benefits would be considered a Public Charge and therefore less desirable as a potential permanent resident.
Here are the facts about the proposals, and how they will affect future Green Card applications:
It is important to remember that these changes are still only a proposal. They are not final. So you should keep using your current benefits. You will not currently be helping yourself by quitting your benefits at the moment.
There have been changes to the Foreign Affairs Manual, so if you are trying to bring your parents to the US, you should talk to an immigration attorney. Call 1-800-566-7636. Or call 311 and ask for ActionNYC.
Post a comment now and voice your opposition to the Public Charge rule
Make a comment at www.ouramericanstory.us. You can make your comment on your cell phone or on a computer. Comments must be in English. Anyone can make a comment regardless of immigrant status. Citizens can comment too. Explain how these proposed changes will affect your life. The government is obliged to read ALL comments and take them into consideration.
By making a comment
Great article on this past Saturday’s march, featuring one of our members, Barbara Mutnick. Thanks to all JHISN members who attended the march.
“Barbara Mutnick, an organiser with the Jackson Heights [Immigrant] Solidarity Network, said Trump was “trying to divide the American people and trying to scapegoat immigrants”.
“We feel no human being is illegal, and we fight for that,” she said, adding that even progressive Democrats have been silent on the migration caravan issue.”
On the evening of October 18, the Jackson Heights Immigrant Solidarity Network (JHISN) sponsored a community forum to discuss a range of urgent immigration issues. The slogan for the event, held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, was “Immigration Activism From Neighborhood to Nation.”
The forum had a powerful panel of speakers. If you missed the event, you can watch the full video here, or watch videos of the individual speakers below.
Lea Ramirez detailed the programs that the Legal Aid Society of New York has developed to assist immigrants.
Afaf Nasher from the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) gave a dynamic presentation on the rise of Islamophobia and the toll it takes on Muslims, including immigrants.
Ellen Whitt from the Immigrant Rights Committee and the Central New Jersey Coalition Against Endless War put a spotlight on local governments who accept ICE money to incarcerate immigrants, using these tainted funds to prop up their budgets.
Julie Schwietert Collazo updated us on the work of Immigrant Families Together, a crowd-funded group which is providing bail for dozens of immigrants trapped in ICE detention centers, reuniting them with their families.
The gathering also heard from our neighbors Alfredo Flores and his wife Wendy Valverde. Alfredo was arrested by Border Patrol after a Greyhound bus he was traveling on unexpectedly drove into Canada and back into the US. Now out of jail, he is working with an attorney to remain in the US with his US citizen wife and children.
He and Wendy described the emotional hardship caused to their family because of Alfredo’s incarceration, as well as their uncertainty about the future. The children have been especially affected—clinging to their father and constantly worried he will be arrested again. Alfredo and Wendy spoke out not just for themselves, but for the human rights of all immigrants.
Phillip Josselyn, representing the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES), explained how the US’s destructive, long-standing foreign policy in Central America has forced millions of people to leave their homes in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
Carol Scott, from New Sanctuary Coalition, talked about their fundamental belief that no person should be deported and how this informs the work they do from immigrant accompaniment to pro se legal clinics.
The JHISN was represented by Melissa Greenberg and Marcus Longmuir. Co-sponsors included CISPES, the Jackson Heights Beautification Group, the Parent Association of P.S. 69Q, Queens Neighborhoods United, Rise and Resist and Socialist Alternative. Special thanks to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church for sharing their space and Joe Friendly for shooting the video.
The Public Charge Rule: A New Wealth Test for Immigrants WE MUST STAND UP FOR AN INCLUSIVE AND WELCOMING AMERICA.
For over 100 years the “public charge test” has been part of US immigration law, used to define those who depend on the government as their main source of support. Until now, “public charge” has been narrowly applied to people receiving government cash assistance or institutional long-term care.
The Trump Administration has published a Public Charge proposal in the Federal Register. It vastly expands the definition to include many health and welfare programs for children and families. The proposed rule could make working class and lowincome immigrants who participate in medical and social service programs–food stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, public housing, and more–ineligible to receive a green card.
The rule has not yet gone into effect, but news of it has frightened many needy immigrants away from crucial support to which they are legally entitled. With about one in four children having at least one immigrant parent, this issue touches millions and is critical now and for our nation’s future.
PLEASE TAKE 15 MINUTES AND SEND COMMENTS BEFORE DEC. 10 TO: https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/
To see Administration’s proposed Public Charge rules: Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds: http://bit.ly/PublicChargeRules
Download the flyer HERE.
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