CPC STATEMENT ON THE END OF THE 2019 PUBLIC CHARGE RULE

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** 

Date: 3/1/2021

Press Contacts: Carlyn Cowen, Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer | (919) 637-6866 | ccowen@cpc-nyc.org

CHINESE-AMERICAN PLANNING COUNCIL STATEMENT ON THE END OF THE 2019 PUBLIC CHARGE RULE

On Tuesday, March 9th, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that they were no longer supporting the Trump-era public charge rule that penalized immigrant communities for accessing public benefits.  

The Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) applauds the nationwide block on the Trump Administration’s 2019 public charge rule. CPC has long held that our immigrant communities should be able to access public benefits like housing and health programs without the fear for their immigration status. We have seen firsthand the harm that this rule has caused especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The confusion surrounding the public charge rule during this health crisis has prevented immigrant communities from receiving the care and support that they need, and deepened this crisis because of it.   

“The Trump Administration’s Public Charge rule change aimed to specifically target low-income, immigrant, and communities of color. With a 6,900% increase in unemployment among Asian Americans, and devastating impacts of COVID-19 on immigrant communities, it is more important than ever that everyone feel safe accessing the public benefits that they need and deserve. We applaud the reversal of this rule.” said Wayne Ho, President and CEO of the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC). 

This decision means that the Trump Administration’s Public Charge Rule is no longer in effect and DHS/USCIS will follow the policy in the 1999 Interim Field Guidance. Under this policy, it is safe for immigrants and their families to access health, nutrition, and housing programs for which they are eligible.  

ABOUT CPC
The Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) is a social services organization that creates positive social change. Founded in 1965, CPC is the nation's largest Asian American social services organization and aims to promote the social and economic empowerment of Chinese American, immigrant, and low-income communities of New York City. CPC is the trusted partner to individuals and families striving to achieve goals in their education, family, community, and career. 

關於華策會
華人策劃協會（簡稱“華策會”）是一個致力於創造正向社會變革的社會服務機構。華策會成立於1965年，是美國最大的亞裔美國人社會服務機構，旨在促進紐約市華裔美國人，移民，及低收入社區的社會權益和經濟賦權。華策會是為實現其教育，家庭，社區 及職業目標而努力的個人和家庭可信賴的機構。