Best Starts for Kids is implemented by Public Health – Seattle & King County and the Department of Community & Human Services. These departments recognize the hardship the new public charge rule poses to many of our community partners. We support the following statement and want to share the following information and resources on the blog.
Originally posted on the Public Health Insider Blog
A new immigration rule that Public Health–Seattle & King County Director Patty Hayes calls “inhumane” went into effect earlier this week on Monday, February 24, because of a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The rule will penalize some immigrants who use certain health, food or housing services and then apply for permanent (Green Card) status. This is scaring some people from using basic services that they are legally entitled to use — services that keep them healthy and promote overall community health.
Much of the harm from the new rule comes from spreading fear, unnecessarily. So, it is important to note this key fact: Many important health and nutrition programs are exempted from the final version of the new rule, thanks to more than 200,000 comments opposing the first draft.
Read more on the Public Health Insider blog including links to further information and resources.
An updated version of the Public Health staff talking points can be found here.
