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Public Charge Decision Shows Need for Congressional Action

(Arlington, VA) – A federal judge has blocked implementation of the revised “public charge” rule announced earlier this year by the Department of Homeland Security. U.S. law has long barred the admission of immigrants determined likely to become a public charge. The revised rule would broaden the definition of “public charge” and change the process for “public charge” inadmissibility determinations, potentially blocking the entry of large numbers of legal immigrants.

 

Daniel Garza, President of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:

 

“We have long called for Congress and the president to come together to debate and enact reforms to our nation’s immigration laws. That should include reforms to the legal immigration system, which has not seen significant changes in decades. This opinion is a reminder of the value of doing the hard work needed to ground new policies in law – rather than undermining the rule of law through repeated unilateral executive actions.

“It’s important to note that this rule adds no new restrictions to stop immigrants from using the limited welfare available to them under the law. An open debate in Congress is a better route to address concerns related to welfare and immigration, rather than a rule to further restrict and complicate legal immigration – through a purported welfare reform rule.

“We encourage Congress and the president to begin this process as soon as possible.”

For interviews with a representative from The LIBRE Initiative, please contact Brian Faughnan, 202-805-1581 or Wadi Gaitan, 202-853-4433

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