How Proposed Immigration Changes will Make It Harder for People With Disabilities
Immigration is already an expensive, difficult process for anyone—but it might soon become even harder for immigrants with disabilities. In October 2018, the Department of Homeland Security proposed a rule change to existing laws surrounding immigration known as public charge.
Public charge is based on the assumption that people with disabilities will be too expensive for the country we immigrate to, and that it’s more likely we’ll need costly healthcare (Medicaid) or social supports (SNAP and other food assistance, housing subsidies, SSI or SSDI). And therefore, the government believes we shouldn’t be able to legally immigrate.
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We know the immigrant community is facing new regulations and restrictions. What we don’t talk about is how immigrants with disabilities are being impacted.
Rooted in Rights and the National Coalition for Latinxs with Disabilities collaborated to create an explainer on how the proposed public charge rule will affect the disability community. We also partnered with Open Doors for Multicultural Families to profile three immigrant families with disabled family members who discussed their concerns and fears surrounding public charge.
Let’s amplify the voices of our community and flood the Department of Homeland Security with our comments.
The United States shouldn’t shut our doors to immigrants with disabilities.