For Immediate Release
August 12, 2019
Contact:
Alex Rossman
517-775-9053
arossman@mlpp.org
Changes to “public charge” rule announced today will incite fear, harm families and children
NOTE: Leaders from the Protecting Immigrant Families Michigan campaign will hold a press conference Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 11 am, corresponding with the official posting of the rule. Press are welcome to attend in person at ACCESS Community Health and Research Center (6450 Maple St, Dearborn, MI 48126) or join virtually on a Facebook Live video streaming from the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center’s page.
Lansing—A coalition of immigrants’ rights organizations is speaking out today against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s “public charge” rule change, which will substantially restrict access to green cards and various types of visas for immigrants who are not already relatively well-off financially. The Department announced today that the rule change will be officially posted on Wednesday, Aug. 14. If litigation does not prevent the rule from taking effect, the policy will take effect in 60 days, which is Tuesday, Oct. 15.
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.
Leaders from the Protecting Immigrant Families Michigan campaign at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, ACCESS, ABISA, the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation and the Michigan League for Public Policy have issued the following statements:
Karen Holcomb-Merrill, Michigan League for Public Policy Chief Operating Officer—“We are appalled that these changes to the public charge rule will be published Wednesday amid the barrage of anti-immigrant sentiment coming out of the White House. 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.”
Madiha Tariq, MPH, ACCESS Community Health & Research Center Deputy Director—“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. Furthermore, the rule puts a financial burden on health care providers who will now have to treat advanced health conditions instead of focusing on prevention. This increased burden is due to disenrollment in health care services like Medicaid that will have a significant impact on our public health systems. In community clinics such as ours, we continue to see individuals needing emergency care because they cannot afford to seek preventative care. We have also seen clients who have canceled appointments for enrollment into benefits such as Medicaid in response to the public charge rule. Clients who seek preventative care live healthier lives. In addition, advanced treatment and emergency room care for those who don’t have access to preventative health costs the state more in the long run.”
Seydi Sarr, African Bureau of Immigration and Social Affairs Founder—“This public charge rule change is designed to further disenfranchise already vulnerable immigrant communities, crystallizing fear, making people feel they must choose between the people they love and the things they need.”
Eva Alvarez, Michigan Immigrant Rights Center Public Policy Coordinator—“Fear and misinformation are two of the most dangerous weapons in this rule. It is critical that immigrant communities stay informed so they can make decisions for themselves and their families based on fact and not fear. We urge community members to consult an immigration attorney if they fear this rule change will affect them and their families.”
Cindy Gamboa, Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation Community Organizing & Advocacy Director—“Not only will the public charge rule keep out thousands of people who could help our communities thrive, but this will additionally cause millions of children and families to live without essential services because they fear it could affect someone they love. I’ve already seen the fear in my community.”
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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.
Jacob Kaplan 
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. 
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.
Donald Stuckey 
Patrick Schaefer
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
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.
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.
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.
Amber Bellazaire joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a policy analyst in June of 2019. Her work primarily focuses on state policy and budgets affecting Michigan’s Medicaid programs. Previously, Amber worked at the National Conference of State Legislatures tracking legislation and research related to injury and violence prevention, adolescent health, and maternal and child health. She also brings with her two years of Americorps service. As a full time volunteer, Amber had the opportunity to tutor high school students in Chelsea, Massachusetts and address issues of healthcare access and food insecurity through in-person outreach in Seattle, Washington.
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.
