Congressional Hispanic Caucus Statement on Implementation of Trump’s Public Charge Rule

WASHINGTON — Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) issued the following statement marking the implementation of President Trump's public charge rule:

"Today, President Trump's public charge rule went into effect, cementing in federal policy a wealth test that will punish low-income and working immigrants by blocking their ability to receive a green card if they access certain benefits or programs. While this policy was created to target immigrants, in particular immigrants of color, it will have a devastating effect on everyone, including US citizens who have immigrant spouses, parents, and children. Thousands of families – many with mixed immigration-status family members – will be forced to forego services they need because they are scared of endangering the immigration status of loved ones. Because of public charge, we will likely see thousands of children go hungry, lose access to much-needed health services, or even lose their housing.

"We should all remember that the ancestors of most American families would not have been able to come to the United States if this rule was in effect over the last 250 years. These are the same families who came with nothing in their pockets, built our country into what it is today, and continue to contribute to our economy, our culture, and our communities. At its core, public charge contradicts our most essential American values and our proud history as a nation of immigrants. Although the Supreme Court has allowed the rule to go into effect, we must fight even harder – in the courts and the halls of government – to end public charge and stamp out racism from our federal policies."

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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.