On International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2018, the Center for Constitutional Rights joined with the Human Rights in the U.S. Project of the Columbia Law School Human Rights Institute to submit a joint public comment, which expresses our strong opposition to the proposed regulation regarding "public charge.” This proposal, if finalized, could allow the government to ultimately deny admission and lawful permanent residence to immigrants who have used or may use some forms of public benefits. The rule was published in the Federal Register October 10, 2018.  

We submitted this comment in opposition to the proposed rule, which threatens to destabilize communities, and undermine public health and safety by penalizing individuals who seek to enroll in programs that promote adequate health, housing, and food on an equal basis.

As we noted in our comment, the proposed rule on “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds” would cause irreparable harm to communities across the U.S., and immigrants and their families, in particular.  The proposed change contravenes globally accepted human rights norms, which aim to ensure an adequate standard of living, and prohibit discrimination, including specific human rights obligations and commitments of the United States. As such, we respectfully urge that the rule be withdrawn in its entirety.

Read our submission here.