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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
URGING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT INTERPRETATION OF THE PUBLIC CHARGE RULE AND OPPOSING ANY FEDERAL REGULATORY CHANGE THAT WOULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT IMMIGRANT FAMILIES
WHEREAS, Cook County is a "Fair and Equal County for Immigrants" as defined in 07-R-240; and
WHEREAS, on October 10, 2018 the Federal Register published a proposed rule developed by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that would drastically change the "public charge" test for individuals seeking admission to or legal permanent residency in the United States; and
WHEREAS, "public charge" currently refers to a person who is likely to become "primarily dependent" on government services and as such may be barred from entering or gaining lawful status in the United States or; and
WHEREAS, at present, public charge is limited to being a direct recipient of cash assistance including General Assistance (GA), the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or institutionalized long-term care at the government's expense; and
WHEREAS, the proposed rule changes public charge to consider likely use of or receipt of non-cash assistance including non-emergency Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the low-income prescription drug subsidy for Medicare Part D, and certain federal housing benefit programs; and
WHEREAS, the proposed rule would also require DHS to consider the person's age; medical condition; family status; household assets, resources, and financial status; and education and skills in determining whether that person is likely to become a public charge; and
WHEREAS, children, older adults, individuals with limited education and/or limited English proficiency, and those with household income less than 250% of the federal poverty level will face more difficulty getting approval to enter the United States or gain lawful statu...
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