SAN DIEGO, CA — Today, the Supreme Court gave Trump the green light to implement the so-called “public charge” rule, which would make it more difficult for immigrant families using certain safety net programs to gain permanent residency in the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security is yet to announce when it will begin implementing this cruel and immoral rule that seeks to limit legal immigration as part of the administration’s campaign to terrorize and expel immigrants.  

The Supreme Court’s decision allows the policy to be implemented for now, as existing lawsuits continue to challenge the legality of the rule. While the lawsuits make their way through the courts, families are encouraged to know their rights by visiting https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/

Lilian Serrano, chair of the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium and human rights organizer with Alianza Comunitaria, issued the following statement: 

“Our country’s safety nets are there so that children have enough food to eat and parents have access to health care so their families can thrive. Trump’s new ‘public charge’ rule is just a  wealth test for immigrants, and yet another way this administration has weaponized our nation’s safety net programs to limit legal migration. It serves no other purpose than to institutionalize Trump’s divisive and hateful rhetoric against immigrant families. While we are disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Trump Administration to move forward with this effort to harm immigrant families for political gain, we are grateful for our partners’ lawsuits that are looking to overturn the rule, and will continue to do our part to ensure immigrant families in San Diego and beyond are informed of their rights.”

About the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium

The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium is a project of Alliance San Diego. Since 2007, community, faith, labor, and legal organizations have come together as the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (SDIRC). Through SDIRC, these organizations are pursuing four common goals: support comprehensive immigration reform; stop the spread of local policies and practices that target and violate the civil and human rights of immigrants; educate immigrants, and educate the public about the important contributions of immigrants. More at: www.immigrantsandiego.org.

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