Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on New Trump Public Charge Proposal

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti says a new Trump rule targets immigrants legally in the U.S. even if a family member uses public benefits for survival.

“These families are under attack because of who they are,” he said. “Basically, what the administration wants to say is if you use a small amount of government assistance to keep your kids healthy, housed, and fed, you could lose your shot at a green card.”

Under public charge, the U.S. already denies legal status to immigrants who are likely to be dependent on certain public aid programs. The new rule targets a much broader group of immigrants, threatening their legal status if anyone in their family, even U.S. citizens, uses nearly any public benefit, from food aid to health care.

The new public charge also impacts immigrants with disabilities as many rely on health care that can only be funded by public benefits.
Advocates are urging people to speak out against the rule by December 10.

“We can tell our stories to the administration, let them know why their hateful proposal should never become official policy,” Garcetti said. “The larger fight continues because this was rooted in the ridiculous idea that immigrants are a drain on our resources.”