Next Avenue: Why the New “Public Charge” Rule Could Hit Immigrants Hard (February 24, 2020)

Since 1999, federal immigration law has had a public charge test in place to deny people admission to the United States if the government identifies them as ones who may be “primarily dependent” on the government for support, either through cash assistance programs or long-term institutional care. The Trump administration altered the definition of public charge in ways that unfairly target older adult immigrants. “This will have a ripple effect on their families who are here in the United States, as well as our communities in general,” said Justice in Aging attorney Natalie Kean. Denny Chan was also interviewed for this article.