EL PASO, TEXAS — The Protecting Immigrant Families coalition (PIF) today released a short, accessible overview detailing the key changes made by new U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “public charge” regulations affecting immigrant families’ access to health and social services. “What Changed With Public Charge?” distills the 475-page regulation into a one-page question-and-answer format.
“When your family is facing a real threat, information is power,” said PIF coalition executive director Adriana Cadena. “It’s important to understand what’s going on, but misinformation can be just as dangerous.”
Regulations adopted in 2022 focused public charge assessments on whether the applicant used health or social services programs providing “cash assistance for income maintenance” or “long term institutionalization at government expense.” These included Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Security Income, and long-term nursing home care covered by Medicaid. By removing those guardrails, the new regulation opens the process to political influence and personal bias and may deter eligible families from using the programs they need.
“Whether it’s on the streets of Maine or Minnesota or in the process used to evaluate green card applications, the Trump administration is basing immigration decisions on bias and politics, regardless of the resulting harm,” said Cadena. “This is not what the American people want, and this administration must be stopped.”
Importantly, the public charge policy applies to green card applicants. It does not apply to people who are already U.S. citizens or to people who have no pathway to a green card.
“Immigrant families need to know that these changes only matter if you’re applying for a green card or can apply in the future,” said Cadena. “If you’re already a U.S. citizen, or if you don’t have a pathway to a green card, this change doesn’t affect you.”
A March 2026 PIF poll found that 83% of Americans want lawfully present immigrants to be able to get care and help when they need it.
