Public Charge: What the Immigrant Community Needs to Know

On August 14, 2019, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule related to public charge in the Federal Register. The rule will not take effect until October 15, 2019. Additionally, many organizations have filed lawsuits challenging the legality of the rule. Thus, even after publication, legal challenges could delay implementation.

The new rule has created confusion and fear in our communities. Because it is very difficult to understand who might be impacted, many immigrant families have decided to disenroll or refuse to enroll in programs that are necessary to survive and thrive. Many immigrants remain exempt from this public charge rule and many immigrants continue to be eligible for various programs.

1. What Does the New Public Charge rule say and how might it impact local providers and the people they serve?
2. Legal challenges to the rule are taking place. What will this mean for the implementation of the public charge rule?
3. Does this new rule affect the eligibility for certain Public Benefits? Which benefits are impacted?
4. Who is and is not affected by the Public Charge rule?

We would also like to discuss next steps and discuss your questions and concerns in an open Q&A on topics such as community education, community response, community advocacy, and more. Also, if you have suggestions for the agenda or specific info to share at this meeting, please let us know.

An additional resource for info, fact sheets, and more:

• https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/
• https://www.ilrc.org/public-charge-

Please join us. To make this as easy for you all to attend as possible (we know you are busy), we'll provide refreshments. So we can order the right amount, we request that you RSVP by Thursday, Oct. 4. But if you don't manage to RSVP on time and discover late that you can come after all, please just call us and come anyway. We'll make it work.

RSVP requested (but not required; we want to give you every opportunity to be there). To RSVP, please email iflores@somervillema.gov.