SPLC Statement on U.S. District Court Blocking of Public Charge Rule

WASHINGTON — Late Wednesday, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York again blocked the Trump administration’s “public charge” rule that undermined access to healthcare, nutrition and housing services for immigrant families. 

After the Court had blocked the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule in 2019, the administration tried to use the COVID-19 pandemic to justify an exception for the rule. The Court’s order blocks the implementation, application and enforcement of the rule.

The following statement is from Margaret Huang, President and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center:

“We are pleased to see that the Court has denied yet another exceptionally cruel and harmful Trump administration policy that only intended to make life more difficult for immigrant families and children already struggling under the pressures and economic hardship wrought by the pandemic. 

“Exclusionary rules that make access to testing, health care and housing more difficult reflect an insidious anti-immigrant and xenophobic agenda. We must refocus our policies and resources to ensure that no one goes without food or healthcare, especially during a pandemic. Now more than ever, resources must be equitably and readily available to our immigrant neighbors and communities.”