The U.S. Supreme Court ruled earlier this week to allow the Trump administration to broaden the number of public assistance programs considered when determining whether an immigrant is a so-called “public charge.”
The new rule allows federal agents to refuse passage over the border to immigrants who they deem are likely to become dependent on public assistance. It also would allow agents to deny green cards to immigrants who have used such services – even if only for a brief period.
The new rule could impact thousands of Oregon residents. About 68,000 people who are not citizens and are enrolled in Medicaid programs, known here as the Oregon Health Plan.
The public charge rule would also apply to a host of other key social safety nets administered by the state, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps; several cash-assistance programs such as Oregon’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; and Section 8 rental assistance and other subsidized housing.
Proponents of tougher immigration rules argue it’s not right for immigrants to receive government assistance. State officials feel otherwise.
“This rule is in direct conflict with our agency’s mission, which is to help people and communities,” the Oregon Health Authority said in a written statement.
A number of programs for children are not subject to the rule.
According to the state, the federal rule doesn’t apply to those under age 21 who use the Oregon Health Plan, Head Start, Early Head Start or the Women, Infant and Children Supplemental Nutrition program. The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace also is not included, according to the health authority.
The marketplace was created to help Oregonians get health coverage. The program just signed up 145,000 people for health insurance in the open enrollment period. And, about 100,000 of them received tax breaks that made the policy more affordable.
State officials worry that immigrants will drop out of the program for fear that it will trigger the public charge law.
“You don’t need to give up your coverage,’” said Chiqui Flowers, Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace administrator. The marketplace is a state-level partner to HealthCare.gov. Both agencies help people purchase insurance if they don’t get coverage through their work.
“We’ve worked so hard connecting people with health insurance, we were concerned this new rule might convince them to drop out,” said Leah Andrews, spokeswoman for the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services.
A ruling by the Supreme Court on Monday lifted an injunction on the proposed changes, which were originally implemented by the Department of Homeland Security in 2019 but was blocked by several lawsuits and court injunctions.
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Non-citizens on government assistance face new scrutiny - oregonlive.com
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