‘Public charge’ does not include home visiting. Spread the word.

[Update 3/11/2021: The Trump Administration’s 2019 public charge rule is permanently blocked, nationwide. DHS/USCIS will follow the policy in the 1999 Interim Field Guidance. Under this policy, it is safe for immigrants and their families to access health, nutrition, and housing programs for which they are eligible.]

UPDATED 1/31/2020: The Supreme Court has temporarily cleared the “Public Charge” rule, which means that the rule can go into effect nationwide, except in Illinois. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will implement the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds final rule on Feb. 24, 2020. You can read more about the rule here. You can also find our updated English/Spanish flyer here.

Background: The Trump Administration has expanded the public charge rule. The new changes to the policy could make it more difficult for some immigrants to get a green card if they access certain public benefits. But home visiting programs are not included in the public charge rule. Participating in Welcome Baby, Parents as Teachers, Healthy Families America, or other home visiting programs will NOT count against anyone applying for a green card.

Also NOT included in the public charge rule:

• WIC, CHIP, Head Start benefits, or school lunches
• Medicaid/Medi-Cal care for: pregnant women and postpartum women up until 60 days after giving birth, and for anyone under 21

Do you work with immigrant families who are concerned about public charge? Print and share this English/Spanish flyer (updated January 2020), and use the social media toolkit below (or download this zip file of the flyer and all images). Please help us fight fear with facts — and help ensure that families get the care and support they need!

If you know someone in L.A. County who needs legal advice about public charge, refer them to Neighborhood Legal Services of L.A. County: 800-433-6251.

Social media toolkit

Instagram images:

Twitter/Facebook images:

Sample tweets:

• #HomeVisiting programs are NOT included in proposed #PublicCharge rule. Go ahead, enroll in @First5LA’s #WelcomeBaby, @NatlPAT, @HFAatPCA – & stay enrolled!
  http://bit.ly/2lvNkph #ProtectFamilies
• #HomeVisiting, #WIC, #HeadStart & #CHIP are exempt from #PublicCharge test. Spread the word!
  http://bit.ly/2lvNkph
  #ProtectFamilies #WelcomeBaby #HomeVisitingLA
  @PhfeWic @NatlPAT @HFAatPCA @First5LA
• #PublicCharge test only considers certain public benefits. #HomeVisiting programs – like #WelcomeBaby, Parents as Teachers, and Healthy Families America — are NOT considered.
  http://bit.ly/2lvNkph
  #ProtectFamilies #HomeVisitingLA
• #Immigrant families, are you worried about new #PublicCharge rule? #HomeVisiting programs – like @First5LA’s #WelcomeBaby, @NatlPAT, @HFAatPCA – are NOT included in this!
  http://bit.ly/2lvNkph
  #ProtectFamilies #HomeVisitingLA
• New parent? Applying for #greencard? Don’t be afraid to enroll in #HomeVisiting programs. They are not considered in #PublicCharge test.
  http://bit.ly/2lvNkph
  #ProtectFamilies #StrongerFamiliesLA #HomeVisitingLA
• #Pregnant & applying for #greencard? New #PublicCharge test does NOT consider Medicaid/Medi-Cal when you’re pregnant and until 60 days after giving birth. #HomeVisiting programs are never considered!
  http://bit.ly/2lvNkph

Facebook/Instagram posts:

• The new Public Charge rule is confusing and scary, but you can be assured that these will NOT be considered in the new immigration test: home visiting programs (Welcome Baby, Healthy Families America, Parents as Teachers), WIC, CHIP, Head Start, and school lunches.
  http://bit.ly/2lvNkph
  #ProtectImmigrantFamilies #StrongerFamiliesLA #HomeVisitingLA
• Participating in #HomeVisiting programs – like Welcome Baby, Healthy Families America, and Parents as Teachers — is one of the best decisions families can make. This form of support helps ensure the entire family has what they need to thrive. While it is a public benefit, it will NOT be considered in #PublicCharge tests. Sign up and continue participating in these programs without worry!
  http://bit.ly/2lvNkph
  #ProtectImmigrantFamilies #StrongerFamiliesLA #HomeVisitingLA
• The new #PublicCharge rule will not consider all public benefits. If you’re interested in or currently benefiting from #HomeVisiting programs – like Welcome Baby, Healthy Families America, Parents as Teachers – you should continue receiving this in-home support. Home visiting will not be considered in #PublicCharge determinations. http://bit.ly/2lvNkph
  #ProtectImmigrantFamilies #StrongerFamiliesLA #HomeVisitingLA
• Are you pregnant and applying for a green card? You can receive Medi-Cal/Medicaid, CHIP, WIC, and home visiting services. None of these are considered in the public charge test if you’re pregnant and up until 60 days after giving birth. Don’t skip doctor visits for you or your children out of fear of #PublicCharge!
  http://bit.ly/2lvNkph
  #ProtectImmigrantFamilies #StrongerFamiliesLA #HomeVisitingLA