Statement by Lupe M. Rodríguez, Executive Director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice on the Harmful Impact of Public Charge on Immigrant Communities and their Health and Economic Stability

“The finalized “public charge” rule–an arbitrary test of whether someone may be dependent on social services and therefore denied a green card, visa, or admission into the United States–is a racist and xenophobic attack on immigrant communities, designed to instill fear and deter families from accessing healthcare and essential services that they need AND deserve. Immigrants pay hundreds of millions in tax dollars every year, and yet are not able to receive many services they need in return. Make no mistake: this final rule  is nothing more than a cruel attempt to punish immigrants for seeking a better life.

“We demand an end to these dehumanizing policies and will continue fighting for salud, dignidad, y justicia for everyone.”