“Trump’s Public Charge Rule is Cruel and Completely at Odds With Our Core American Values” Says Congressman García

Chicago, IL - Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) issued the following statement in response to the Trump Administration's public charge rule that goes into effect today. The rule seeks to limit who can enter the United States by labeling many immigrants a public charge, or cost to society.

"The public charge proposal is nothing short of a wealth test designed to create a false distinction between ‘good immigrants' and ‘bad immigrants.' The announcement of the rule alone has had a chilling effect in my district. For over a year I have listened to families needlessly pulling their eligible children from services they need and are entitled to, including food stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy and housing assistance.

"The fear and confusion this rule creates will hurt working-class, immigrant families all across Chicago and the country afraid of jeopardizing their immigration status and being deemed a public charge.

"Immigrants come to this country to improve their lives through hard work. I remember my father coming home late at night, tired but proud of the work he did to support our family.

"These changes will undermine efforts to improve health outcomes, address hunger and poverty, and will disproportionately hurt women, children and the elderly.

"Trump's public charge rule is cruel and completely at odds with our core American values. We will not allow the Trump Administration to make immigrant communities choose between a green card or feeding their families."