Advocates Try To Help Immigrant Families Through Uncertainty With Public Charge Rule

By Mark Brodie
Published: Wednesday, October 16, 2019 - 1:04pm

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Siman Qaasim
Children's Action Alliance
Siman Qaasim.

Federal judges have temporarily blocked a Trump administration rule that would have made it more difficult for immigrants to obtain green cards if they use government benefits like food stamps and medicaid.

The so-called public charge rule was slated to take effect on Tuesday, but the judges’ rulings in California, New York and Washington brought it to a halt. 

Those rulings have left immigration advocates breathing a sigh of relief, at least for now, but local groups are staying vigilant.

The Children’s Action Alliance is an Arizona non-profit focused on the state’s children, and as the group pointed out, the public charge rule and its delay has a direct impact on Arizona families. According to CAA, 1 in 4 Arizona children live in a household with at least one immigrant member.

Siman Qaasim is the new president and CEO of Children’s Action Alliance, and she joined The Show.



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