Archived Links - Protecting Immigrant Families

KYR Archive

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! Public Charge Messages for Community Members
(Top messages to share with immigrant communities on the recent changes to public charge – PIF)

Should I Keep My Kids Enrolled in Health & Nutrition Programs?
(Use this guide to help answer commonly asked questions about how to make good decisions for your family and their health – PIF)

The following resources were updated in February 2020, after implementation of the DHS and DOS public charge rules.

Public Charge: Does this apply to me?
(How public charge will impact you based on your immigration status, and what you should do – PIF)

You Have Rights – Protect Your Health
(An overview for mixed-status families when it comes to going to the doctor or enrolling in health insurance – PIF)

Immigrant Sponsors and Public Benefits
(Frequently asked questions on access to public benefits for immigrants with sponsors – PIF)

Public Benefits Awareness Toolkit
(Social media and digital toolkit to share more resources included above – PIF)

Analysis & Research Archive

Updated Resources

Public Charge Update: What Advocates Need to Know Fact Sheet (PIF) Updated March 9, 2021*
The Trump Administration’s Invisible Wall Summary (PIF) Updated September 23, 2020*

Immigrant Access to Public Programs During COVID-19

Many public programs are available to assist individuals and families during the COVID-19 crisis.

Quick reference guide on immigrant eligibility for federal public programs during the COVID-19 public health crisis (PIF)
- In Spanish

Public Charge

The Trump Administration has implemented changes to public charge policy that cause immigrant families to fear accessing health care, nutrition, and housing programs and limits legal immigration for those who are not white and wealthy. Multiple federal agencies are involved in making these policy changes inside and outside the U.S.

Public Charge Update: What Advocates Need to Know Fact Sheet (PIF) Updated August 14, 2020*
Changes to Public Charge: Analysis and Frequently Asked Questions (PIF) Updated March 13, 2020*
Public Charge Litigation Tracker (CBPP & MLRI)

Related Policies that Impact Immigrant Families

Public charge is just one of many attacks on low-income families, immigrant families, and communities of color by the Trump Administration. Below are more policies that seek to make life more difficult for low-income immigrant families by restricting their ability to access basic programs that safeguard their health care, nutrition, housing, and economic security.

The Trump Administration’s Invisible Wall Summary (PIF) Updated August 3, 2020*
President’s Proclamation Requiring Immigrants to Have Health Insurance Summary (NILC)
Understanding the President’s Memorandum on Enforcing the Responsibilities of Sponsors FAQ (NILC)
Reference to Public Benefits in USCIS’s Notice to Appear Memo (NILC)

Research

The PIF Campaign has compiled the latest research, reports, and studies that show how the proposed public charge regulation and related policies would harm immigrant families and workers, public health, and our economy.

Special Resources

This page includes additional resources created by the PIF campaign and our allies. These resources have been reviewed and vetted by PIF staff. As you develop your own materials to meet your community’s needs, we encourage you to take inspiration from these great examples.

Resources by Issue Area

Tax Credits
- Tax Credits are Not Considered In Public Charge Determinations – PIF
Early Childhood Programs
- Final Public Charge Rule and Young Children Q and A – CLASP
Medicaid, ACA, and other Health Services
- Get Health Care Without Fear – NYC Health + Hospitals (with 13 available translations)
- Public Charge and Health Coverage Programs – Center for Budget and Policy Priorities
- Public Charge Rule: Considerations for HIV and Hepatitis Programs – NASTAD
Housing Programs
- Public Charge and Housing Technical Fact Sheet – National Housing Law Project
- Public Charge and Housing Talking Points – National Housing Law Project
- Public Charge and Housing Basic FAQs – National Housing Law Project
Legal Services
- Anti-Fraud Flyers – Immigrant Legal Resource Center
- Public Charge Webinar for Immigration Attorneys (Slides) – Public Charge: DHS, DOS, FAM and Related Issues. Presented by the PIF Campaign in collaboration with AILA, MLRI, and ILRC
- Public Charge Legal Services Toolkit (ILRC)
SNAP and Nutrition Programs
- Public Charge Rule: FAQs for Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Stakeholders – Food Research & Action Center
- Free and Reduced-Price School Meals – Food Research & Action Center
- SNAP and Public Charge Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Worcester County Food Bank, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Inc., The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, The Greater Boston Food Bank.
Workforce and Education
- Public Charge Fact Sheet – The National Skills Coalition

Immigration Status-Specific Resources

5 Facts on Public Charge – Immigrant Legal Resource Center. Information for green card holders, undocumented immigrants and people applying to sponsor a family member.

Resources for Community Engagement

Navigating Public Charge Best Practices in Community Based Organizations to Mitigate Harm for the Immigrant Community (See also, Executive Summary).
PIF Education Toolkit: A comprehensive collection of tools for community and partner education about public charge. This education packet includes template versions of PIF material that you can adapt to your audience and brand with your organization’s logo. Material addresses both public charge and COVID-19.
Train-the-Trainer Toolkit Request Form: Receive comprehensive resources to build a public charge program to train others to educate their communities about public charge.

Resources for Working with State/Local Agencies

PIF State Benefits Agency Toolkit – Immediate action steps that state benefits agencies can implement to assist constituents in understanding the implications of public charge in their applications for benefits, and to assist benefits agency staff in navigating new requests and forms from consumers. Includes samples from a variety of states and templates to be adapted. Includes COVID-19-related resources as well.
Navigating Public Charge Best Practices in Community Based Organizations to Mitigate Harm for the Immigrant Community (See also, Executive Summary).
The Public Charge Dictionary – Need help understanding immigrant eligibility for public benefits programs? Getting a little lost in the terminology? This dictionary includes the most commonly used terms that you need to know to be a more empowered advocate to help immigrants.
PIF State Policy Toolkit – recommends action for state and local government officials seeking to minimize harms of the public charge rule. Materials in this toolkit can be modified to fit your needs.
Sample state agency publications on public charge

Communications Resources

Newsclips as Advocacy Resource – Sharing news coverage of public charge can educate people about the threat, demonstrate the breadth and energy of the opposition, and inspire action.
VIDEO: Five things immigrants need to know about public charge (Spanish) – NC Justice Center