NY calls on Supreme Court to halt 'public charge' rule during pandemic

Advocates say the so-called “public charge” rule is preventing some immigrants from seeking coronavirus treatment fearing it could count against them down the line when they seek a green card.

News 12 Staff

Apr 15, 2020, 10:02 AM

Updated 1,693 days ago

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New York's attorney general is calling on the Supreme Court to temporarily halt a Trump administration rule that seeks to prevent immigrants from getting public benefits.
Advocates say the so-called ‘public charge’ rule is preventing some immigrants from seeking coronavirus treatment fearing it could count against them down the line when they seek a green card. “The public charge rule drives immigrants and their families away from accessing health benefits to which they are entitled by threatening applicants’ eligibility for green cards and visa renewals,” New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) said in a statement.
Members of Neighbors Link, an organization based in Mount Kisco, which is dedicated to assisting immigrants across the Hudson Valley, says these people need help. "It penalizes low and moderate income New Yorkers, the people who are the essential workers in health care, and in the food supply that are keeping us safe and fed during this current pandemic," says Karin Anderson Ponzer, of Neighbors Link.

Connecticut and Vermont are joining New York in seeking a temporary halt to the rule, which went into effect back in February.
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