Washington, DC — The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), AFL-CIO condemns the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s announcement of “public charge” — a plan that could deny permanent resident status (“green cards”) to immigrants who use government services, such as nutrition programs and housing assistance. Rumors of the proposal have already sown fear among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) immigrant families, many of whom have foregone essential services for which they are eligible.
APALA National President Monica Thammarath commented: “This plan is outrageous. The goal of the Trump administration’s new ‘public charge’ plan is clear: to drive undocumented and immigrant communities into the shadows and tear apart families who live and work here. Time and time again, the administration has consistent with its’ anti-immigrant, xenophobic sentiments, and this new ‘public charge’ is the newest attack in a string of coordinated tactics in the administration’s white supremacist agenda.”
“This rule change also extends attacks on low-income communities who already face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, food, education, housing and more,” added Kim Geron, APALA 1st Vice President. “If implemented, families could face heart-wrenching decisions no families should have to make: deciding between fulfilling their basic needs or the people they love. We must do everything we can to stop this rule from being implemented.”
Alvina Yeh, APALA Executive Director, concluded: “It’s unacceptable that the Trump administration is shaping our immigration system into a pay-to-play game that would put the wealthy ahead of families who’ve waited years to be reunited. We will not be fooled nor will we let this attack further divide us. APALA rejects this latest attack and will do everything we can to protect and defend our immigrant families and communities.”
Once the rule is officially published on the Federal Register, the public will have 60 days to comment on the proposed rule before the Department of Homeland Security proceeds with final rulemaking.
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APALA National President Monica Thammarath commented: “This plan is outrageous. The goal of the Trump administration’s new ‘public charge’ plan is clear: to drive undocumented and immigrant communities into the shadows and tear apart families who live and work here. Time and time again, the administration has consistent with its’ anti-immigrant, xenophobic sentiments, and this new ‘public charge’ is the newest attack in a string of coordinated tactics in the administration’s white supremacist agenda.”
“This rule change also extends attacks on low-income communities who already face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, food, education, housing and more,” added Kim Geron, APALA 1st Vice President. “If implemented, families could face heart-wrenching decisions no families should have to make: deciding between fulfilling their basic needs or the people they love. We must do everything we can to stop this rule from being implemented.”
Alvina Yeh, APALA Executive Director, concluded: “It’s unacceptable that the Trump administration is shaping our immigration system into a pay-to-play game that would put the wealthy ahead of families who’ve waited years to be reunited. We will not be fooled nor will we let this attack further divide us. APALA rejects this latest attack and will do everything we can to protect and defend our immigrant families and communities.”
Once the rule is officially published on the Federal Register, the public will have 60 days to comment on the proposed rule before the Department of Homeland Security proceeds with final rulemaking.
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