The Workers Circle Responds to End of Trump-Era Public Charge Rule

March 10, 2021

Contact: Karin Venegas, karin@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-7049
Lynsey Billet, lynsey@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-8449

(New York, NY) - Workers Circle CEO Ann Toback issues the following statement in response to the Biden Administration's decision to end its support for legal action defending the Trump era public charge rule expansion:

“At long last, the draconian Trump-era public charge rule is permanently blocked nationwide. We applaud the Biden Administration for making good on its promise to end Trump’s racially motivated wealth test. Over and over again, reports and studies documented the alarming fact that immigrants, even those who weren’t covered by public charge, were avoiding public health and other essential services for fear of running afoul of the 2019 Trump rule. Now that the 2019 rule is blocked, a huge barrier is lifted, improving our country’s ability to respond to the pandemic and mitigate the health and economic disparities that have hit immigrant communities so hard.

“Every federal agency must immediately get the word out far and wide that accessing COVID-19 testing, treatment, vaccinations, and other essential assistance will not compromise immigration status or future immigration applications. The Workers Circle will continue to urge Congress to do its part to deliver pandemic relief to immigrants on the front lines, providing essential services in our communities.”