Federal courts delay “Public Charge” rule with temporary legal challenge
On October 11, federal judges from three states issued injunctions to temporarily delay the Administration’s “public charge” rule from going into effect nationwide. The rule, which adds housing assistance to a list of considerations for immigration inadmissibility, was originally set to go into effect this week.
Currently, the Department of Homeland Security evaluates immigrant admissibility based on the likelihood of a person becoming “primarily dependent on the government for subsistence,” which includes long-term institutionalization or the need for certain types of cash assistance. The new rule, which is titled “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds,” was released in August of this year and expands the list for evaluating admissibility to include receiving “public benefits” such as SNAP, Medicaid, and rental assistance.
Under the temporarily delayed rule, officials could also weigh factors such as whether the applicant for a green card has used public assistance in the past. The nationwide injunctions of the rule state that the administration may have exceeded its authority, may have failed to explain need and reasonableness of the rule, and may have failed to consider local cost impacts of the rule. NAHMA will keep members up to date.
NAHMA members prepare for congressional advocacy during October Meeting
NAHMA’s biannual conference is right around the corner, and members will make the most of their time in Washington, D.C. by visiting their lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Tuesday afternoon. Around twelve of the eighteen AHMAs are represented in the advocacy efforts this October, including several NAHMA members who are Hill Visit newcomers.
Spearheaded by NAHMA’s advocacy taskforce, NAHMA helps set up meetings for members, create talking points and information packets, and tailor the message based on member communities and congressional priorities. This year, NAHMA’s legislative priorities include urging Congress to enact full-year funding bills for affordable housing programs still feeling the effects of a partial government shutdown earlier this year, and building support for the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, a bill that would strengthen and expand the Housing Credit program.
Following a well-attended Hill Visit prep webinar last week, the NAHMA October Meeting will also feature a brief “Hill Visit Workshop” on Monday afternoon. For more advocacy resources and information, please visit NAHMA’s Grassroots Advocacy webpage or reach out to the NAHMA Advocacy taskforce.