TUCSON— Today, the Department of Homeland Security announced a new public charge rule that would prevent individuals from attaining lawful permanent residence based off their use of certain government benefits. DHS published the rule on the federal register today, and it will go into effect in 60 days. In response, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva issued the following statement:

“In the aftermath of cruel immigration raids that ripped families apart, a domestic terrorist attack on the Latino community in El Paso, and the continuous separation of families at the border, President Trump will soon implement the next stage of his anti-immigrant agenda. Trump’s xenophobic policies have infected every level and department of the federal government and send a clear message to vulnerable immigrants and asylum seekers: If you’re not wealthy, you’re not welcome here.

“Immigrants are good for our economy and good for our country. They fill labor shortages, reinvigorate stagnant communities, and pay more in taxes and receive less government assistance than native-born Americans. This ruling ignores their positive contributions and forces immigrant families to sacrifice their food, shelter, and medical care—benefits they can legally receive. It is yet another way for Trump to scapegoat immigrants and make their lives miserable. I will continue fighting this rule in the halls of Congress and protect our immigration system and immigrant families from Trump’s racist policies.”

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