When the “public charge” rule change was announced earlier this week, we jumped into action. The rule change will substantially restrict access to green cards and various types of visas for immigrants who are not already relatively well-off financially. This dangerous rule fundamentally changes our nation’s approach to immigration, making family income and potential use of healthcare, nutrition or housing programs a central consideration in whether to offer people an opportunity to make their lives in this country.
Protecting Immigrant Families Michigan—a collaborative campaign of the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), the African Bureau of Immigration and Social Affairs (ABISA), the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation and the League—held a press conference to speak out against the rule change and address Michigan immigrants and families. Advocates shared not only key information, but powerful thoughts on the rule’s negative impact:
Tania Morris Diaz, Attorney, Michigan Immigrant Rights Center
- “The new rule is set to take effect on October 15, 2019 and will create extensive changes to an immigration policy called public charge. Public charge is one of many requirements to apply for a green card or visa. It requires an immigrant to show he or she will not likely become dependent on government assistance.”
- “The new rule is also likely to scare millions of immigrants and their family members, including millions of U.S. citizen children, away from accessing public benefits programs, as the rule expands the types of public benefits that could be counted against someone when seeking immigration status.”
- “Fear and misinformation are the most dangerous weapons in this rule for immigrant families. Along with chilling benefits access, we have already seen misguided reports that this new rule could affect immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship. In fact, this rule does not apply to the naturalization/citizenship process. Public charge namely affects people applying for a green card through family members, and most visa applicants trying to enter the U.S. It does not affect refugees, asylees and most immigrants seeking humanitarian-based status. It also does not affect undocumented immigrants who do not have a pathway to apply for a green card.”
Renell Weathers speaks at public charge press conference
Madiha Tariq, MPH, Deputy Director of the Community Health & Research Center, ACCESS
- “I think the most important thing to note is that this rule makes people choose between their health and their family. Although there are many exceptions to the rule … there’s obviously a lot of miscommunication and fear and no understanding of who the rule applies to. It’s not about who actually qualifies [for the public charge rule] … it’s about people who are being impacted by it because they don’t know. This chilling effect has been seen here at ACCESS in our clinic downstairs. We’ve had patients come in that are asking to be taken off things like WIC and Medicaid or Healthcare.gov even though they’re not going to be impacted [but] they feel like they are.”
- “The final rule adds exceptions for Medicaid coverage received by anyone under 21 and by pregnant women (including 60 days postpartum), and it removes Medicare Part D discounts for seniors from the list of programs to be considered. It also continues to exclude benefits received by U.S. citizen children of immigrants. However, it still includes Medicaid coverage, housing assistance and nutrition programs. Most importantly, because the public charge test focuses on applicants’ income, if they don’t earn enough, whether they receive benefits may be effectively irrelevant.”
- “At ACCESS, we strongly believe that healthcare is a human right and should be accessible to all. The public charge rule deprives immigrant communities of this right. In community clinics such as ours, we continue to see individuals needing emergency care because they cannot afford to seek preventative care. Given the fact that clients who seek preventative care live healthier lives, this rule will have a significant impact on our public health systems.”
Seydi Sarr, Founder, ABISA
- “This public charge rule change is designed to further disenfranchise already vulnerable immigrant communities, crystallizing fear and making people feel they must choose between the people they love and the things they need.”
- “The confusion in our communities is great … We just came out from raids where communities are now thinking, ‘What are we going to do?’ … And now those same families who are worried about their children … are being faced with a rule that says that their children are going to have to maybe skip another meal. Their children are going to have to go to school unhealthy. Because if your father or your mother is the only one right now who needs a green card, they’re going to depend on the other spouse to sponsor them. Now that family is faced with the choice of saying, ‘Am I going to get healthcare? Am I going to get food? Or am I going to make sure that my spouse can become a green card holder?’”
- “This is totally outrageous in that idea that we tell communities, ‘Do the right thing. Get in line.’ Having a shot to get a green card is getting in line.”
Renell Weathers, Community Engagement Director, Michigan League for Public Policy
- “The best way to strengthen our country is to ensure that the families who live in it have the basics they need to thrive. One fourth of children in the U.S. today have at least one immigrant parent, so our future depends on the success of immigrant families. And all families need food, medical care, shelter and other basics to thrive and contribute to their communities and our country. If we reject this dangerous rule and embrace policies that help immigrants and their families succeed, we all win.”
- “It is estimated that the rule will impact at least 114,000 children in Michigan, the majority of whom are U.S. citizens, preventing them from getting the resources they need.”
- “The human impact is terrifying, but there’s an economic loss, too. Michigan could expect up to a $214 million reduction in federal funds that support families, and on top of that the negative ripple effects through the economy could be as high as $409 million as hospitals and doctors’ offices see reduced revenues and as folks buy less in supermarkets and other stores.”
- “It’s important for immigrant families to know that benefits that you get for your children are different than benefits you get for yourself. When applying for a green card in the U.S., only benefits that you get for yourself might be considered under public charge. Any benefits you receive for your children will not affect your ability to apply for a green card.”
Immigrant families with questions about public charge should call MIRC at 734-239-6863 for free and confidential information.
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.
