NEWS & PRESS

Trump Notice Denies Health Care to Lawfully Present Immigrants

EL PASO, TEXAS — The Trump administration has scheduled a notice for publication in the Federal Register that effectively denies lawfully present immigrants access to public health programs. The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) notice reinterprets a 1996 law to restrict some health programs to deny services to sexual assault and domestic violence survivors with special “U” visas, child abuse survivors with “Special Immigrant Juvenile Status,” people with Temporary Protected Status who’ve fled war, natural disaster, or other emergency, and other lawfully present immigrants. Also excluded are people approved for lawful permanent residency to whom the Department of Homeland Security has not yet issued “green cards.”

Trump Notice Does Not Change Food Aid Eligibility

EL PASO, TEXAS — The Trump administration published a notice in Thursday’s Federal Register that reinterprets a 1996 law to restrict some food aid programs to “qualified immigrants” – a category that includes people with “green cards,” refugees, asylees, but excludes some lawfully present immigrants such as people with temporary protected status and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Partisan Safety Net Cuts Target Lawfully Present Immigrants, U.S. Citizens in Immigrant Families

EL PASO, TEXAS — The United States Senate narrowly passed a budget package Tuesday that makes deep cuts to health and social services, especially for U.S. citizens and people in immigrant families. The bill passed in the Senate builds on the already-horrible House-passed package and makes it even worse. 

Advocates Back Bill to Remove Health Barriers Facing Immigrant Families

EL PASO, TEXAS — United States Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced legislation today that would improve the health of millions in immigrant families. The Health Equity and Access under Law (HEAL) for Immigrant Families Act would reverse a 1996 law that denies lawfully present immigrants access to Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program for their first five years in the U.S. The bill would also give states the flexibility to cover undocumented immigrants through Medicaid and CHIP, building on policies adopted by more than a dozen states that have used their own funds to cover people excluded under current federal law.

Advocates Applaud Congressional Oversight of HHS Data Release

EL PASO, TEXAS — A group of 30 members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter Monday challenging the Trump administration’s sharing of Medicaid data with immigration officials. Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) and Diana DeGette (D-Colorado) coordinated the letter to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, which requests documents and information about the data release, citing the “significant impact this data sharing could have on the health of millions of Americans and the violations of privacy it raises.”

House Hearing Targeting Welcoming Communities Threatens Families, Does Nothing To Secure Border

WASHINGTON — Republicans on the U.S. House of Representatives Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a partisan hearing for Thursday, targeting states with a policy or practice of welcoming immigrant families. The hearing focused exclusively on states with Democratic governors.

Nonprofit Leaders Urge Senate to Reject Safety Net Cuts Targeting Immigrant Families

WASHINGTON — Leading nonprofit organizations focused on health, food security, economic security, and immigrant rights sent a letter to Senate leadership Tuesday, urging lawmakers to reject efforts to restrict immigrant families’ access to health care and social services. The letter was coordinated by Children Thrive Action Network (CTAN) and the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition (PIF). The letter’s 18 state and national organization signatories include the Center for Law and Social Policy, Community Catalyst, and the Food Research & Action Center.

Partisan Budget Package Threatens Nation’s Health and Well-Being to Fund Attacks on Families

EL PASO, TEXAS — The United States House of Representatives narrowly passed a budget package Thursday that makes deep cuts to health and social services, especially for U.S. citizens and people in immigrant families. Almost every House Republican and no Democrats supported the cuts.

Trump Order Directs Bureaucrats To Make Lists, Advocates Say

EL PASO, TEXAS — President Trump signed an executive order Monday directing the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security to make a list of American cities, counties, and states that do not toe the administration line on immigration. The order then directs other federal agencies to make lists of grants, contracts, and other federal funds flowing to those communities. Finally, it requires DHS and DOJ to develop guidance to ensure appropriate eligibility verification is conducted for people receiving Federal public benefits. However, under federal law, people who are undocumented are largely ineligible for federally funded health care and social services programs, and those programs already require eligibility verification. Exceptions like emergency medical care, vaccinations and other basic public health measures, and disaster relief are provided by law and cannot be changed by executive order. The White House released the order in the wake of weekend news coverage of the administration’s deportation of several U.S. citizen children from Louisiana.

250+ Orgs Oppose Trump Administration Attack on Immigrant Health Care Access

EL PASO, TEXAS — The Protecting Immigrant Families coalition (PIF) released a comment submitted today by 267 organizations in opposition to a proposal by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to restrict health care access for people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Signatories include the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Coalition on Human Needs, Community Catalyst, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Families USA, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and UnidosUS, as well as other national organizations and organizations in 32 states and the District of Columbia.

Advocates Condemn Trump Administration Social Security Weaponization

EL PASO, TEXAS — The New York Times reported Thursday that the Trump administration plans to bar people who entered the United States lawfully from accessing the nation’s financial system. According to the newspaper, the move targets people who had been lawfully present until the administration arbitrarily revoked their status. The plan hinges on what the outlet describes as “repurposing” a Social Security Administration database used to record deaths and ensure that people who have died do not receive Social Security benefits. An expert quoted by the Times warned that, as a result of this misapplication of the database, “The potential for errors can be very consequential.”

650+ Organizations Urge Congress to Reject Safety Net Cuts Targeting Immigrant Families

WASHINGTON — Nearly 700 organizations sent a letter to Capitol Hill Tuesday, urging lawmakers to reject efforts to restrict immigrant families’ access to health care and social services. The letter, coordinated by the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition (PIF) and two founding coalition members, the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) and the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), was co-signed by 681 organizations from 42 states and a diverse set of national organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Big Cities Health Coalition, Share Our Strength / No Kid Hungry, and Children’s Defense Fund.

Immigrant Families Advocate Selected for Annie E. Casey Foundation Fellowship

EL PASO, TEXAS — The Annie E. Casey Foundation announced Tuesday that Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition (PIF) director Adriana Cadena has been selected for a 23-month fel­low­ship aimed at supporting leaders in driving spe­cif­ic, mea­sur­able improve­ments for young peo­ple and families. The 16-person class is the 13th in the Foundation’s Chil­dren and Fam­i­ly Fel­low­ship, and other fellows come from the philanthropy, government, and nonprofit sectors.

HUD/DHS MEMO DOES NOT CHANGE IMMIGRANT FAMILIES’ ELIGIBILITY FOR HOUSING AID

EL PASO, TEXAS — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released an interagency memo Monday on cooperation and resource sharing. The memo does not change eligibility for housing assistance or other safety net programs.

Protecting Children of Immigrant Families: Nonprofit Advocate Responses

Nonprofit Quarterly looks at how nonprofits are supporting immigrant families with children and advocating for change as the Trump administration intensifies its attacks.

Trump Proposal Would Make America Sick Again, Advocates Say

EL PASO, TEXAS — The Trump administration today released a proposal to reverse regulations that would make an estimated 100,000 people who would otherwise qualify for insurance through the Affordable Care Act “marketplace” ineligible for health care because of their immigration status. The proposal would reverse a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulation in effect since May 2024, making some people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) eligible for marketplace coverage.

Trump Order Perpetuates Lies About Immigrant Safety Net Eligibility, Attempts to Stir Fear

EL PASO, TEXAS — Last night, Donald Trump signed an executive order directing all federal agencies to identify programs that allow people who are undocumented to access any federally-funded health and social services and to take actions to deny access to those services. People who are undocumented qualify for very few federal public benefits, and access to these limited benefits is authorized by federal law.

Housing Advocates Warn that Trump Is Going to Use HUD for Mass Deportations

PIF’s Adriana Cadena talks about the Trump public charge chilling effect’s persistent impact on immigrant families.

A Nutrition Program for Low-Income Americans Seeks Clarity on Funding Pause

The New York Times cites PIF research in explaining how a federal funding freeze could threaten child nutrition.

As Trump Sworn in, Advocates Ready to Oppose Attacks on Immigrant Families

EL PASO, TEXAS — Donald Trump, in today’s inaugural address, reiterated his intent to pursue policies that would intensify immigration enforcement. Research confirms that immigration enforcement operations deter United States citizens, lawfully-present immigrants, and other people in immigrant families from using health and social services programs for which they qualify under federal law. The proposal would threaten the health and wellbeing of millions in immigrant families, as well as worsen social problems ranging from unmet health care to poverty, hunger, and homelessness.

Court Order On Health Care For People With Daca Dangerous, Limited, Temporary

EL PASO, TEXAS — The Western Division of the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota issued an order Monday, suspending implementation of the Biden Administration regulation making people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) eligible for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act. The “stay” order was issued in response to a filing by the Kansas Attorney General and the Republican attorneys general of 18 other states and it applies only in those states.

Estados con más migrantes pierden más cobertura médica

Our Esther Reyes appeared on Radio Bilingüe to discuss PIF’s analysis of the disparate impact of Medicaid “unwinding” on immigrant communities.

New Research: Medicaid “Unwinding” Losses Hit Counties With Larger Immigrant Communities Harder

EL PASO, Texas — A new analysis released today by the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition (PIF) finds that state Medicaid eligibility policies and practices resulted in 1.37 million people in counties with larger immigrant shares of county population losing Medicaid, compared to counties with the smallest immigrant share of county population. The analysis, completed for PIF by the non-profit behavioral science research firm ideas42, focuses on declines in Medicaid enrollment as states worked to “unwind” Medicaid’s pandemic-era continuous coverage requirement.

Texas Public Charge Lawsuit Dismissed

AUSTIN, TEXAS — The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas issued an order Monday, dismissing a suit challenging the Biden Administration’s 2022 “public charge” regulation, which made it clear that people seeking a green card would not be penalized if their eligible family members access food, housing or health care. The Honorable Drew Tipton ruled that the plaintiff, the State of Texas, “failed to submit evidence” in support of its standing claim and that its argument was “speculative at best.”

New Biden Regulation Improves Health Outcomes and Equity, Advocates Say

PIF statement reacting to the issuance of a final regulation expanding health care access for people with DACA.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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

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.

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:

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Safety Net Barriers Add to Child Poverty in Immigrant Families

On how safety net barriers like public charge and the five-year bar perpetuate poverty among kids in the families of lawfully-present immigrants.

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.

Advocates: Immigration Policy Unchanged by Texas Lawsuit

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

NEW BIDEN REGULATION CAN PROMOTE EQUITABLE PANDEMIC RECOVERY

Statement on the effective date of the Biden public charge regulation.

Radio Bilingue’s Linea Abierta

Great public charge segment (begins at 46:55) featuring PIF partner California Primary Care Association on RB’s flagship call-in program, Linea Abierta.

Government services only help kids if families utilize programs

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.

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

Deep dive into what’s driving California’s Latino homelessness spike, including public charge.

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

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.

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

Great network story on the Biden final public charge reg features PIF partner MomsRising.

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

IRS offers assurances that claiming stimulus payment checks will have no effect on immigration status.

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

Food bank CEO attending the White House Hunger Conference says an effective response must improve food security for immigrant families.

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

In-depth looks at how promotoras made the difference on vaccine outreach to immigrant families.

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

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.

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

PIF partner UnidosUS on advocacy to expand immigrant families’ eligibility for state earned income credit programs.

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

Lawmakers urge Biden officials to prioritize outreach to immigrant communities in anti-hunger strategy.

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

Public charge deters Texas immigrant families from seeking aid through hurricane buyout program.

Health, economic disparities continue to affect coronavirus hot spots

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

Some criticize Family Security Act for its citizen requirement

Immigrant advocates critique a family economic aid bill sponsored by Utah Republican Senator Romney that includes mixed-status families but excludes undocumented families.

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

PIF director Adriana Cadena talks about the upcoming public charge final regulation on the radio network's live Linea Abierta program.

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

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.

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

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.

An Immigrant Child Story

Great op-ed by a pediatrician argues for passage of the LIFT the BAR Act.

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

PIF partner MomsRising / Mamas Con Poder featured in this article assuring immigrant families that they can use safety net programs without immigration consequences.

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

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.

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

Columnist Jean Guerrero urges actions to mitigate homelessness, including addressing barriers to available supports, including public charge.

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

Maryland legislation expands of prenatal care to women in immigrant families.

Hirono Bill Critical to Equitable Pandemic Recovery, Advocates Say

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

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

Food security nonprofit finds that hunger is 55% higher than before the pandemic, with immigrant families among those at greatest risk.

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

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.

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

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.

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

State ACA implementation agency asks feds for a waiver allowing Washington to offer health coverage regardless of immigration status.

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

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.

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

Overview of current public charge policy, offering assurances and facts to families needing care or help.