Senator Mazie Hirono's office issued the following earlier this week:
August 13, 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. –
Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) released the following statement
after the Trump administration issued a final rule that dramatically
changes our country's immigration system and harms immigrant families.
The rule redefines who can be barred from entering the United States or
become a legal permanent resident based on the individual's likelihood
to become a "public charge," or someone primarily dependent on the
government for subsistence. Under the rule, the administration can deny
green cards and visas to immigrants based on their use of certain public
benefits, family size, age, wealth, education, health status, English
language ability, and other criteria.
“Today, with his so-called ‘public charge’
rule, Donald Trump is once again terrorizing immigrant families by
sowing confusion and keeping families apart under a legally suspect
definition of ‘public charge.’ This rule claims to be about determining
who is likely to become a public charge. What the rule actually does is
it allows the Trump administration to deny visas and green cards to
immigrant families not only for accessing essential food, medical care,
and housing benefits they are entitled to, but also based on factors
such as their family size, education, English language ability, and
income.
“Most immigrants seeking visas or
permanent residence are not eligible for these public benefits. But
under this rule, many of them will be prevented from entering or staying
lawfully in the United States based on the Trump administration’s view
of what education, family size, income, or English language ability
deserves a visa or green card.
“In addition, this ‘public charge’ rule
will scare many immigrants – including permanent residents and U.S.
citizens who are not subject to this rule – from accessing critical
services based on fear and confusion about how the administration will
implement the rule. We have already seen this widespread chilling effect
on immigrant families who are afraid to use needed government benefits
since the Trump administration proposed this rule months ago. The final
rule released today will further hurt children and vulnerable people,
and undermine the health and stability of immigrant families.
“Donald Trump claims this rule is about
identifying immigrants who are likely to become a ‘public charge’ and
making sure immigrants are ‘self-sufficient,’ but in fact, this
discriminatory rule is really about shutting the doors on immigrants who
do not meet his view of what being an ‘American’ means.”
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