The Trump administration continues its attack on immigrant families. On Thursday, March 29, the Department of Homeland Security, under the directive of the White House, released so-called ‘public charge’ regulation to penalize immigrants for using a wide array of health and education benefits by denying them entry into the country or access to a green card. The Office of Management and Budget is currently reviewing this proposed expansion of public charge determination, and will release the proposal for public comment in the next few weeks.

As the largest refugee community ever resettled into the United States, many Southeast Asian Americans have benefitted from government programs that have helped their families grow and thrive. The expanded regulation will likely impact newer, low-income immigrants with family-based visa petitions. In 2016, more than 90% of Southeast Asian immigrants who received green cards were able to do so through our family immigration system.[1] Southeast Asian Americans must now come together to fight for the ability of these newer family and community members to access the same programs and benefits that have been critical to their own survival.

Wednesday, May 2

12 pm PST/3 pm EST