The proposed “public charge” rule was published in the Federal Register on October 10th, triggering a 60-day public comment period. Under this proposed rule, immigrants seeking admission to the U.S. or applying for lawful permanent residency could be denied if family members, including U.S. citizen children, receive public benefits for which they are eligible (see CLASP’s new fact sheet to learn more about the proposed rule and its impact on children). Tax credits, which were named in previous drafts of the rule, are no longer part of the list of benefits; however, the potential impacts of this rule remain devastating.We urge you to take a look at our sister affinity group Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees’ (GCIR’s) statement on why philanthropy must take action against the public charge proposal.
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The following suggestions are from GCIR’s Five Ways for Funders to Take Action:
- Deploy support for urgent advocacy, organizing, and litigation efforts to oppose this rule and mitigate the harms that will befall our communities, if enacted.
- Submit an official comment on the impact the proposed rule would have on your institution, grantees, and community. Your comment, which does not constitute lobbying, will help the philanthropic sector assert its influence and amplify its voice, as part of GCIR’s goal to secure a minimum of 100 foundation submissions. (Please contact Melissa Nop for a copy of GCIR’s guidance for submitting comments on “public charge.” The guidance document is available to GCIR members, other grantmaking institutions, philanthropic advisors, and members and staff of funder affinity groups and regional associations of grantmakers).
- Encourage your grantees and broader networks to voice their concerns via public comments as well. The Protecting Immigrant Families campaign has a goal of 100,000 unique comments.
- Declare your institution’s objection to the rule in the public sphere by issuing statements, penning op-eds or blogposts, and engaging through social media.
5. Urge philanthropic colleagues, civic and faith leaders, the private sector, and other stakeholders to act.
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If you haven’t already, please also take a look at the EITC Funders Network’s interview with Laura Speer, Associate Director of Policy Reform and Advocacy at The Annie E. Casey Foundation, about the proposed public charge rules; why foundations should pay attention to this rulemaking process; and how funders can support immigrant families and children in a shifting policy landscape.