Workers Circle Criticizes Senate Action to Reinstate Harmful Trump Policy

May 18, 2023

Yesterday, with support from two Democrats, the Senate passed a resolution to reverse the Biden Administration’s public charge regulations, reverting to a harmful Trump-era policy. The Biden policy—echoing long-standing immigration law—prohibited the Department of Homeland Security from considering the use of health care, nutrition, or housing programs in the granting of permanent residence to immigrants. In contrast, the draconian Trump policy put green-card applications at risk if lawfully present immigrants accessed any of these programs even during the pandemic—a policy that not only widened racial disparities in health, hunger, and poverty but undermined pandemic response and put immigrant families, many of whom were essential employees, at tremendous risk. The Workers Circle, an organization founded by Eastern European Jewish immigrants in 1900, strongly denounces this vote and urges the House to reject this resolution. We are grateful that President Biden has made it clear that he will veto the resolution should it reach his desk.

About the Workers Circle

Founded 123 years ago, the Workers Circle (formerly known as the Workmen’s Circle) is a social justice organization that powers progressive Jewish identity through Jewish cultural engagement, Yiddish language learning, multigenerational education, and social justice activism. For over a century we have provided this 360-degree approach to Jewish identity-building. Through contemporary cultural programs, strategic social justice campaigns, vibrant Yiddish language classes, interactive educational experiences and more, we connect Jewish adults, kids and families of all affiliations with their cultural heritage, working to build a better and more beautiful world for all. Learn more at www.circle.org.