NEWS & PRESS

Press Contact: Ed Walz | 202-374-8872 | ed@pifcoalition.org

Recent PIF statements and releases:

In addition to PIF press releases and blog posts, we track news coverage of related issues on this page. Browse the latest posts or use the filter system to find specific content.

Feb 26, 2024 | Health

A Staggering Disaster For 20 Million in America

PIF Director Adriana Cadena joined host Matt Robison and Leo Cuello of the Georgetown Center on Children & Families on the Beyond Politics podcast. The episode focused on the threat of Medicaid unwinding to health care access for millions in immigrant families, and on the actions policymakers must take to keep families covered.

Feb 05, 2024 | Economic security

OPPOSE IMMIGRATION BILL, ADVOCATES URGE

WASHINGTON — Congressional negotiators have released the language of legislation that conditions funding for President Biden’s emergency supplemental budget request on radical restrictions to U.S. immigration law and due process. Reacting to this news, the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition (PIF) issued the following statement from its director, Adriana Cadena:

Jan 11, 2024

House Hearing a Sham, Advocates Say

WASHINGTON — The Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing for today billed as an inquiry into the impact of immigration. In fact, that hearing is stacked with anti-immigrant extremists whose testimony parrots Republican campaign ads. 

Dec 28, 2023

States Expand Health Coverage for Immigrants as GOP Hits Biden Over Border Crossings

Article on state policy gains quotes PIF Director Adriana Cadena. Looks at expansions in California, Colorado, New York, Utah, and other states.

Dec 18, 2023

BIDEN REGULATION FAILED TO LOWER SAFETY NET ACCESS BARRIERS FACING IMMIGRANT FAMILIES, ADVOCATES SAY

WASHINGTON The Biden Administration’s “public charge” regulation took effect on December 23, 2022. Advocates celebrated the regulation as a major win for immigrant families, citing its potential to thaw the “chilling effect” that has deterred millions in immigrant families from seeking health care and social services. That effect was generated by Trump Administration regulations that put green card applications at risk if immigrants who qualify for Medicaid, “SNAP” food aid, and “Section 8” housing assistance used those programs.

Nov 29, 2023

ADVOCATES URGE SENATORS TO OPPOSE ASYLUM BAN

WASHINGTON — News reports indicate that U.S. Senate Democrats and Republicans are negotiating legislation that conditions funding for President Biden’s emergency supplemental budget request on radical restrictions to U.S. asylum law. Reacting to this news, the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition (PIF) issued the following statement from its director, Adriana Cadena:

Nov 20, 2023

CMS MUST PAUSE MEDICAID UNWINDING UNTIL STATE PERFORMANCE GAPS ARE ADDRESSED, ADVOCATES SAY

States Failing to Lower Barriers Facing Immigrant Families, Survey Finds

WASHINGTON — A coalition of more than 600 organizations nationwide has asked the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to pause state Medicaid eligibility redetermination processes. The Protecting Immigrant Families coalition (PIF) letter, sent to CMS on Thursday, cites a first-of-its-kind survey of state advocates, finding critical gaps in state policies and practices critical to ensuring accurate Medicaid eligibility determinations for millions of people in immigrant families. This finding comes six months into states’ efforts to “unwind” Medicaid’s pandemic-era continuous coverage requirement.

Sep 29, 2023 | Children, Economic security, Health, Housing, Tax Credits

Shutdown Puts Immigrant Families at Additional Risk, Advocates Warn

Statement urges federal policymakers to accurately communicate with immigrant families about the impact of a government shutdown.
Sep 27, 2023 | Economic security, Food security, Health, Housing, Tax Credits

ADVOCATES URGE NO VOTE ON PUBLIC CHARGE AMENDMENT TO DHS APPROPRIATIONS BILL

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote today on legislation (HR 4367) appropriating funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for federal fiscal year 2024. The House Rules Committee has drafted a special rule for floor debate of the bill, which would make dozens of amendments in order, including an amendment that would prohibit DHS from implementing the public charge regulation finalized in December.

Sep 17, 2023 | Children, Economic security, Food security, Health, Housing, Tax Credits

Receiving food stamps won’t kill your green card chances. How ‘public charge’ works.

Los Angeles Times
The Times' deep dive on public charge, with a clear and accurate overview of current policy and an explanation of how the public charge chilling effect continues to threaten immigrant families.
Sep 14, 2023 | Health

DISTRICT COURT RULING MEANS CONGRESS MUST ACT ON DACA

WASHINGTON — The United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas found the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) unlawful yesterday. Importantly, the Court’s ruling does not impact the nearly 600,000 people who currently have DACA. The United States and other defendants are expected to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, which had remanded the case back to the Southern District of Texas last fall. Reacting to Wednesday’s ruling, the PIF coalition issued the following statement by its director, Adriana Cadena:

Aug 23, 2023 | Economic security, Food security, Health, Housing

Urban Institute Analysis Shows Biden Admin Failed to Lower Barriers Facing Immigrant Families in Hardship

WASHINGTON — The Urban Institute released an analysis Thursday, finding that the Biden Administration has failed to mitigate the “chilling effect” resulting from the Trump Administration’s expanded public charge regulation and its consequences for the health and well-being of immigrant families. The analysis finds that 25% of people in mixed-status families avoided health care and social service programs last year, because of immigration concerns. The analysis specifically cites the public charge chilling effect as a persistent concern. That figure is roughly unchanged from the 27.7% of people in mixed-status families the Urban Institute found were chilled in 2020, when the Trump policy was still in force.

Jul 27, 2023 | Health

Advocates Applaud HEAL Act Introduction, Urge Quick Passage

Statement commends lawmakers on the bicameral introduction of legislation to lower health care access barriers for immigrant families, improve health outcomes, and promote health equity.
Jul 18, 2023 | Health, Children

A new study shows how Medicaid coverage policies shape maternal health disparities

STAT News
STAT News covers a medical journal study finding that anti-immigrant policies result in reduced health care access for new moms who are immigrants. Quotes PIF's Cheasty Anderson.
Jun 26, 2023 | Children, Health

400+ ORGANIZATIONS BACK DACA HEALTH CARE PLAN

WASHINGTON — A comment submitted Friday brought 424 organizations together in supporting expanded health care access for people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The comment was coordinated by the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition (PIF) and submitted in response to a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposal that would cover nearly 130,000 people who are uninsured today.

Jun 26, 2023 | Health

400+ Organizations Back DACA Health Care Plan

PIF organized more than 400 organizations in support of a proposal to expand health care access for people with DACA. This release summarizes the joint comment.
Jun 15, 2023 | Economic security, Food security, Health, Housing

HIRONO / JAYAPAL / CÁRDENAS BILL A RACE EQUITY PRIORITY, ADVOCATES SAY

WASHINGTON — Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington) and Tony Cárdenas (D-California) today introduced legislation reversing the “five-year bar,” a 1996 policy that denies eligibility for federal assistance programs to millions in the families of people with “green cards” and other immigrants who are lawfully present in the United States. The Lifting Immigrant Families Through Benefits Access Restoration (LIFT the BAR) Act has 100 original cosponsors in the United States House of Representatives and 11 original cosponsors in the U.S. Senate. Polling by the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition finds that ¾ of Americans favor the policy change proposed by the LIFT the BAR Act. In response to the bill’s introduction, the PIF coalition released the following statement from its director, Adriana Cadena:

May 17, 2023 | Economic security, Food security, Health, Housing

MANCHIN, TESTER VOTE WITH TRUMP AND STEPHEN MILLER

WASHINGTON — Two U.S. Senate Democrats voted today to support SJRes 18, a partisan resolution attacking “public charge” regulations. The resolution would reverse the Biden Administration regulations barring the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from considering the use of health care, nutrition, or housing programs by lawfully-present immigrants applying for permanent residence (a “green card”). The Biden regulation replaced a Trump policy putting green card applications at risk if lawfully-present immigrants used such programs. Trump White House adviser Stephen Miller was the architect of the Trump policy, which undermined pandemic response and widened racial disparities in health, hunger, and poverty. A 2021 poll found that nearly half (46%) of people in immigrant families who needed help or health care during the pandemic did not seek it because of immigration concerns.

Apr 06, 2023

Safety Net Barriers Add to Child Poverty in Immigrant Families

New York Times
On how safety net barriers like public charge and the five-year bar perpetuate poverty among kids in the families of lawfully-present immigrants.
Mar 22, 2023 | Economic security

¿Qué es un ITIN number y cómo sacarlo?

Enlace Latino NC
North Carolina’s Enlace Latino news site spotlights ITIN resources developed by PIF and partners NILC, CLASP, and UnidosUS. Learn more about ITINs and use our resources to help immigrant families in your community. Get the Your ITIN, Your Money resources.
Jan 09, 2023

Supreme Court Rejects Bid to Resurrect Trump Immigration Policy

PIF statement reacting to a U.S. Supreme Court decision not to consider litigation seeking to restore the Trump public charge policy.
Jan 06, 2023 | Children, Economic security, Food security, Health, Housing, Tax Credits

Advocates: Immigration Policy Unchanged by Texas Lawsuit

PIF statement responding to the filing of a lawsuit challenging the Biden public charge regulation.

Dec 23, 2022 | Economic security, Children, Food security, Health, Housing, Tax Credits

NEW BIDEN REGULATION CAN PROMOTE EQUITABLE PANDEMIC RECOVERY

Statement on the effective date of the Biden public charge regulation.
Nov 15, 2022 | Economic security, Food security, Health, Housing

Radio Bilingue’s Linea Abierta

Radio Bilingue
Great public charge segment (begins at 46:55) featuring PIF partner California Primary Care Association on RB’s flagship call-in program, Linea Abierta.
Nov 13, 2022 | Economic security, Health, Housing, Food security

Government services only help kids if families utilize programs

Las Vegas Sun
Great American Academy of Pediatrics op-ed urges the Biden Administration and local policymakers to commit to an outreach campaign aimed at informing immigrant families about the new public charge regulation.
Oct 28, 2022 | Housing

More L.A. Latinos falling into homelessness, shaking communities in ‘a moment of crisis’

Los Angeles Times
Deep dive into what’s driving California’s Latino homelessness spike, including public charge.
Oct 21, 2022 | Health, Food security, Children

Association of the Expiration of Child Tax Credit Advance Payments With Food Insufficiency in US Households

Journal of the American Medical Association
PIF partners Children’s HealthWatch find that the lapse in expanded Child Tax Credit payments drove a 25% increase in food insecurity, with immigrant families among those hardest hit.
Oct 21, 2022 | Economic security, Food security, Health, Housing, Tax Credits

¿Qué servicios me convierten en carga pública? Experta aclara dudas sobre la nueva regulación del gobierno Biden

Univision
Great network story on the Biden final public charge reg features PIF partner MomsRising.
Oct 17, 2022 | Economic security, Income security, Tax Credits

IRS sends letters to over 9 million who could miss out on valuable 2021 tax credits. Here’s how to claim that money.

CNBC
IRS offers assurances that claiming stimulus payment checks will have no effect on immigration status.
Oct 05, 2022 | Economic security

DACA Ruling Makes It Clear: Congress Must Act To Protect Immigrant Families

Reacting to a federal appeals court's ruling that the DACA program is unlawful, PIF calls on Congress to act.
Sep 28, 2022 | Food security

At White House Conference on Hunger is a woman who’s doing the work in her community

NPR
Food bank CEO attending the White House Hunger Conference says an effective response must improve food security for immigrant families.
Sep 16, 2022 | Health

Amid pandemic uncertainties, Latino immigrants put trust in their ‘promotoras’

National Geographic
In-depth looks at how promotoras made the difference on vaccine outreach to immigrant families.
Sep 13, 2022

Neal, Pallone Applaud Biden Administration’s Final Public Charge Rule

U.S. House of Representatives
Chairmen of two key U.S. House of Representatives committees recognize the Biden final public charge regulation as a major win for immigrant families and the nation.
Sep 08, 2022 | Children, Economic security, Food security, Health, Housing, Income security, Tax Credits

ADVOCATES HAIL BIDEN REGULATION AS MAJOR WIN FOR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES, URGE CONGRESS TO ACT

WASHINGTON — A new “public charge” regulation finalized today by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) adds critical protections to secure immigrant families’ access to the health and social services safety net. While the final regulation largely restores and improves upon the public charge policy in place for 20 years prior to the Trump administration, it also makes an improvement sought by more than 1,000 organizations coordinated by the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition (PIF): making it crystal-clear that DHS will not consider use of health care, nutrition, or housing programs when making immigration decisions. Reacting to the publication of the final public charge regulation, the PIF coalition issued the following statement by its director, Adriana Cadena:

Aug 30, 2022 | Economic security, Children, Income security

The expanded child tax credit kept 4 million kids out of poverty. Can it come back?

Vox.com
PIF partner UnidosUS on advocacy to expand immigrant families’ eligibility for state earned income credit programs.
Aug 29, 2022 | Food security

Biden’s goal to end hunger by 2030 and his new food conference, explained

NPR
Lawmakers urge Biden officials to prioritize outreach to immigrant communities in anti-hunger strategy.
Aug 23, 2022 | Economic security, Income security, Housing

Pace of Harris County home buyouts slower than hoped for after Hurricane Harvey

Houston Public Media
Public charge deters Texas immigrant families from seeking aid through hurricane buyout program.
Aug 18, 2022 | Health

Health, economic disparities continue to affect coronavirus hot spots

Washington Post

Local governments working to mitigate health disparities affecting DC-area immigrant families, including thawing the persistent public charge chilling effect.

Aug 11, 2022 | Income security

Some criticize Family Security Act for its citizen requirement

KSL-TV
Immigrant advocates critique a family economic aid bill sponsored by Utah Republican Senator Romney that includes mixed-status families but excludes undocumented families.
Aug 09, 2022 | Economic security, Children, Health, Income security, Nutrition, Housing

The Biden Administration’s final public charge regulation may be ready in weeks. What do advocates expect?

Radio Bilingue
PIF director Adriana Cadena talks about the upcoming public charge final regulation on the radio network's live Linea Abierta program.
Aug 02, 2022 | Health

FL Families Urged to Sign Up for KidCare as CHIP Marks Silver Anniversary

Public News Service
Article on CHIP’s 25th anniversary quotes PIF partner Florida Health Justice Project offering assurances to immigrant families that CHIP enrollment will have no immigration consequences.
Jul 25, 2022 | Economic security, Health

Charities Aiding Immigrants and Refugees Fare Better When They Raise Money From Private Sources

Inside Philanthropy
Immigrants account for about 15% of the US population, and government makes decisions every day affecting their health and wellbeing, but less than one half of 1% of charitable giving supports advocacy work on behalf of immigrants.
Jun 07, 2022 | Children, Health

An Immigrant Child Story

Brooklyn Reader
Great op-ed by a pediatrician argues for passage of the LIFT the BAR Act.
Jun 04, 2022 | Economic security, Food security, Health, Housing

Tienes derecho a recibir asistencia del gobierno por la pandemia sin importar tu estatus migratorio: esto debes saber

Univisoin
PIF partner MomsRising / Mamas Con Poder featured in this article assuring immigrant families that they can use safety net programs without immigration consequences.
Jun 03, 2022 | Health, Children

Undocumented children deserve health care in N.J. and the sooner the better

Newark Star-Ledger
Joint commentary by the National Center for Children in Poverty and PIF partner CLASP urges NJ’s legislature to expand safety net access for children in immigrant families.
Jun 02, 2022 | Housing

California should back a program to prevent homelessness, not just react to it

Los Angeles Times
Columnist Jean Guerrero urges actions to mitigate homelessness, including addressing barriers to available supports, including public charge.
May 26, 2022 | Health, Children

With ‘Healthy Babies Equity Act,’ Maryland Will Join Other States that Provide Prenatal Care Regardless of Immigration Status

Maryland Matters
Maryland legislation expands of prenatal care to women in immigrant families.
May 26, 2022 | Health, Food security, Economic security, Children, Housing

Hirono Bill Critical to Equitable Pandemic Recovery, Advocates Say

PIF
PIF statement of support in response to Sen. Mazie Hirono's introduction of the Senate version of the LIFT the BAR Act.
May 26, 2022

Hirono Bill Critical to Equitable Pandemic Recovery, Advocates Say

WASHINGTON — Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) today introduced legislation reversing the “five-year bar,” a 1996 policy that denies eligibility for federal assistance programs to millions in the families of immigrants who are lawfully present in the United States. The Lifting Immigrant Families Through Benefits Access Restoration (LIFT the BAR, S 4311) Act has 9 original cosponsors: Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Sen. Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts), Sen. Patty Murray (D-Washington), Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California), Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vermont), and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts). The Hirono bill is the Senate companion to legislation (HR 5227) sponsored by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington-7), which has earned more than 80 cosponsors since its introduction in September. January polling by the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition finds that ¾ of Americans favor the policy change proposed by the LIFT the BAR Act. In response to the bill’s introduction, the PIF coalition released the following statement from its director, Adriana Cadena:

May 25, 2022

Report finds child hunger is 55% higher than pre-pandemic levels in NYC

NYN Media
Food security nonprofit finds that hunger is 55% higher than before the pandemic, with immigrant families among those at greatest risk.
May 24, 2022 | Health

Overturning Roe Would Create More Barriers for Asylum-Seekers and Immigrants

Ms. Magazine
Former Refugee Council USA executive director argues that a SCOTUS reversal of Roe v. Wade would hit immigrant women even harder than most, by reinforcing immigrant families’ concerns about the effect of getting health care and economic aid on future immigration applications.
May 21, 2022 | Health

Perceptions of the Coronavirus and COVID-19 testing and vaccination in Latinx and Indigenous Mexican immigrant communities in the Eastern Coachella Valley

BMC Public Health
UC Riverside public health and health equity experts find the public charge chilling effect continues to depress COVID-19 testing and vaccination in Latinx families.
May 18, 2022 | Health

WA takes step toward expanding health insurance coverage for all residents, regardless of immigration status

Seattle Times
State ACA implementation agency asks feds for a waiver allowing Washington to offer health coverage regardless of immigration status.
May 12, 2022 | Children, Economic security, Food security, Health, Tax Credits

Food insecurity rises as families lose child tax credit payments, data shows

NBC News
On new research by our partners at Children’s Health Watch, finding that the expanded Child Tax Credit improves health and food security, but that immigrant and Latinx families aren’t getting it.
May 11, 2022 | Economic security, Food security, Housing, Health

Qué es la carga pública: resuelve tus dudas sobre los programas y ayudas que no afectan tus opciones migratorias

Univision Sacramento (KUVS)
Overview of current public charge policy, offering assurances and facts to families needing care or help.
Apr 25, 2022

1,000+ Organizations Urge Biden Administration to Protect Immigrant Families

WASHINGTON — A comment submitted today by 1,070 nonprofit organizations urges the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to act quickly in finalizing a “public charge” regulation that secures immigrant families’ access to the health and social services safety net. The comment was coordinated by the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition (PIF) and signed by national organizations and organizations in every state in the country, plus the District of Columbia.

Jan 20, 2022

New Poll: ¾ of Americans Back Restoring Safety Net Access for Immigrant Families

WASHINGTON — A poll released today by the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition (PIF) finds that 74% of Americans support legislation to reverse policies that restrict safety net access for immigrants who are lawfully present in the United States and their families. The Lifting Immigrant Families Through Benefits Access Restoration Act (LIFT the BAR Act, HR 5227), is sponsored by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington). The public opinion research firm BSP Research completed the poll January 10-14, surveying 1,200 adults nationwide, with a margin of error of 2.8%.