For Immediate Release
September 24, 2018
Contact:
Alex Rossman
arossman@mlpp.org
Individual contacts available for interested media
Lansing—Leaders of the Protecting Immigrant Families campaign, led by the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, Michigan League for Public Policy and the Arab American Community Center for Economic and Social Services, issued the following statements on the devastating proposed “public charge” rule that was shared in a press release by the Department of Homeland Security on Sept. 22, 2018.
Federal law allows immigration and consular authorities to deny admissions to the United States or adjustment to Lawful Permanent Resident status to a person they deem likely to become a public charge. Under the current definition, a public charge is a person who is primarily dependent on the government for subsistence.
The Trump administration is expected to soon issue a divisive new proposed regulation targeting immigrant families by radically expanding the definition of public charge. This policy is an extension of the Trump administration’s larger immigration efforts that have torn families apart, and worse yet, this move circumvents Congress by making its own rules through the administrative process.
In its press release Saturday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the proposed rule would be published in the coming weeks for a 60-day public comment period. Commenters will not be required to provide their address or information about their immigration status. National advocates will post updates on http://www.protectingimmigrantfamilies.org, as available.
This proposed change endangers the well-being of thousands of Michigan immigrants and their families. If ultimately approved, the new rule would punish those who access important services like healthcare, food assistance and housing. Under these changes, families that access those services could risk their chance to seek permanent immigration status and face deportation.
Hospitals and healthcare providers could face severe financial burdens if immigrants or their family members who are eligible for publicly-funded insurance refuse to enroll in programs like Medicaid. Child development would also be impacted significantly if families feel forced to choose between enrolling in programs like SNAP and Section 8 housing vouchers, which help improve well-being, or continuing their path to citizenship.
Gilda Z. Jacobs, Michigan League for Public Policy CEO—“We were disheartened to hear that the federal government announced it is proposing a new public charge rule. This is another attempt to punish hard-working immigrant families in Michigan and across the United States. This rule would make it harder for immigrant families to access the care they need without jeopardizing their path to citizenship. If implemented, this rule could lead to mass disenrollment from vital public services for thousands of families. We must act swiftly to stop this dangerous proposal and protect Michigan families.”
Susan E. Reed, Michigan Immigrant Rights Center Managing Attorney—“This move by the administration is part of its ongoing effort to end a cherished American tradition: family-based immigration. Public charge is an arcane concept in the immigration law designed to exclude those who are feared likely to become primarily dependent on the government for subsistence. Presently, the test is narrow. If the proposed rule is adopted, benefits that could be considered in a public charge determination would include Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), and housing assistance. It would further include stringent income requirements, and penalize applicants with physical or mental health conditions that could affect their ability to work, attend school or care for themselves.”
Hassan Jaber, Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) Executive Director and CEO —“Michigan has long been a place where immigrants and refugees have found community, family and opportunity. This proposed rule would harm those communities, and the very families we have worked to support and uplift. While some immigrant families need support initially, that support is insignificant compared to the contributions they have made in Michigan and across the United States. Additionally, this cruel proposal would force families to make the impossible decision of getting the care they need or obtaining a green card or visa to enter or remain in the country. Furthermore, not only is the rule inhumane, it would also present a significant financial and administrative burden to Michigan direct service providers and hospitals who serve our communities every single day. Rather than punishing families and burdening direct service providers, our government should allow immigrant families to integrate fully into our economy and communities, as many have successfully done in the past. Allowing these changes to public charge will not only weaken, hurt and separate immigrant families, but will negatively impact our economy as well.”
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Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
