Public Charge Rule and Its Impact on Child Health: A Call to Action

* Abbreviation: CHIP — : Children’s Health Insurance Program Major policy changes have gone into effect that impact the health of some of the most vulnerable children in our nation, those of low-income immigrant families. This policy, better known as the public charge rule, is part of a compendium of highly controversial and litigated health-related federal immigration policies enacted by the Administration on the basis of financial criteria.1 The public charge rule has been traditionally used to determine ineligibility for immigration or residency status on the basis of health, education, and financial factors under the Immigration Act of 1882 and Immigration and Nationality Act of 1996. Recent changes reflect a redefinition and expansion of the term “public charge” for those applying for permanent residency.1 Under this new rule, US residency applicants who use any number of public benefits, including Medicaid, government housing, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, are now also deemed a public charge, meaning that they are likely to become dependent on the government for subsistence.1 This label, along with other factors, can be used negatively in determinations for permanent residency applications. By tying the use of vital public health programs to immigration and residency status, the Administration is forcing a choice between seeking critical services or securing status in the United Status. Current antiimmigrant sentiment, rhetoric, and policy changes, such as the public charge rule, have resulted in a culture of fear, misinformation, distrust, and isolation, all of which have health implications for these … Address correspondence to Nina Patel, MS, College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, 411 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004. E-mail: ninapatel107{at}gmail.com