The Antelope Valley Times

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L.A. County official calls public charge rule ‘inhumane’ as others file suit

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Supervisor Hilda Solis

LOS ANGELES – A federal proposal to disqualify some immigrants receiving food stamps or Medicaid from gaining entry to the U.S. or obtaining a green card is “inhumane” and “heartless,” a Los Angeles County supervisor said Tuesday.

Supervisor Hilda Solis issued a statement opposing the Trump administration’s plan to expand the definition of a public charge.

“This inhumane policy shift would force immigrant families to make an impossible choice between putting food on the table or forgoing basic needs to ensure their families stay together in this country,” Solis said. “This heartless rule will undermine access to health care for many legal immigrants who would rather skip medical appointments because they fear endangering their immigration status, and that could create a public health crisis.”

Federal officials note that immigration laws have long sought to prevent new residents from becoming a burden on taxpayers.

“This is (a) 140-year-old part of our legal immigration system,” Ken Cuccinelli, acting director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, told National Public Radio in a recent interview. “It’s called a public charge rule, the idea of public charge being that one … isn’t supposed to become a public charge, a burden on the government. It doesn’t seem like too much to ask to continue that tradition of inviting immigrants here who will not essentially go on welfare.”

The change is that instead of considering only cash benefits as disqualifying, the new rule will include the use of food stamps and Medicaid.

The proposed rule change exempts refugees, certain members of the military and pregnant women and children receiving Medicaid.

Cuccinelli said it would be just one factor in decisions made by his department.

“It’s a heavily weighted negative factor. But the career immigration services officers will make these decisions on a case-by-case basis with all factors considered for each immigrant on a case-by-case basis,” Cuccinelli told NPR.

San Francisco and Santa Clara counties filed suit Tuesday seeking an injunction against the rule, which is set to take effect Oct. 15, The Los Angeles Times reported.

The suit alleges that the rule will force immigrants to forgo federal benefits, shifting the financial burden to state governments.

Solis said patients would likely end up in emergency rooms or health care centers without federal funding.

She added the county lawyers are analyzing the rule and will make recommendations about whether to join legal challengers.

County workers will also educate residents about the rule’s potential impact on them individually and offer referrals to legal aid when necessary.

“Immigrants have made this country what it is today: a global economic powerhouse. With this action, this administration ignores those critical contributions by advocating for federal policies that separate immigrant children from their parents. This is part of this administration’s pattern of bullying and attacking our most vulnerable residents who lack the power to fight back,” Solis said.

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29 comments for "L.A. County official calls public charge rule ‘inhumane’ as others file suit"

  1. William, in case you missed it:

    Wacky Wet Willy: You didn’t answer me again. Do you vote or just complain and criticize like a useless troll? Can you vote? You have no patriotism and want America to fail, don’t you?

    Now that Trump is your leader for 6 more years and then Pence for 8 more, you must be miserable. You sure look and sound miserable. To quote the man, WE’RE WINNING, WINNING, WINNING !!!

    Eat your liver, lol.

    MAGA/KAG. USA, USA, USA, USA

  2. Why cant we have whats in your pocket(s)? it’s to fix the [removed] roads. And together, we can achieve a better dental plan. Just take the ]removed[ pink elephant!

      • You wouldn’t know the truth if it sat on your face.

        Trumpist#1 (exp. 11.3.20)

        B.S. degree from Trump “university” (uncredited) and it shows.

        Owns guns a la Yosemite Sam.

        Has a freezer full of Trump steaks that will make good dog food.

        Reads and believes every Trump Tweet.

        Like Trump, he couldn’t pass a citizenship test.

        Thinks Russia is our friend.

        Wears a sign that says “Will be conned for tweets.” (I saw him outside Home Depot)

        Thinks “emoluments” are hand lotions.

        Thinks there is only one branch of the federal government.

        Proves that there is no intelligent design to the universe.

        Help him out if you can. Or not.

        His commnets are so off-base he complains that they are censored and deleted. He doesn’t even know how to write to get around that. It take some intelligence. Typing isn’t the only skill required.

        • I’m pretty sure there are better angles to examine from if you are trying to identify the truth.

        • You don’t know the truth. Your comments are way off-base, and always have been. It doesn’t take intelligence to do what you’ve been doing since 2011.

          • You are a hypocrite Alexis. I used to copy and paste your own comments for you to review back then but it didn’t do any good.

            You persist to be a hypocrite to this moment. As for your faith, you give it a bad name.

        • Willy Wacko: You think that’s funny? You try so hard but you have the worst sense of humor like a child. Your hackneyed, boring screeds are unbearable to read.

          You want to impress us with your “writing talent”? LOL. You’re pathetic. You want so bad to be an “American”, don’t you?

          As a real writer once said: “Thou dost protest too much”.

          • Upon review, I have to admit that first one “You wouldn’t know the truth if it sat on your face” WAS funny.

    • Donald Trump called me today and said he is going to have to build the wall himself since no one understands his vision, or how to build it. He asked me to get the word out that he’s looking for loyal hardworking men to join him in building “THE WALL.” He wants you to meet him in Presidio Texas next week at the Motel 6, O.K.?

  4. The solution is obvious to me. I’m going to renounce my citizenship, give up my passport, and then walk over the San Ysidro border. Then I’ll pay a coyote to smuggle me back.

    I’ll enjoy criminal sanctuary, free medical, free food stamps and free college without paying taxes or having accountability, car insurance or a driver license. Then I’ll apply to vote and drop anchor babies everywhere. We’ll steal your country and make you feel guilty about it, you selfish xenophobic racists.

    Why on Earth would you fools want to be an American taxpayer or homeless military veteran?

    PS: I know this thread relates to legal dolesuckers, but inconvenient facts and reality has never stopped me from ranting incoherently before.

    • Hey, Trumpist#1(?)

      If you are using the ‘real’ Trumpist’s usersname that he’s accused me of doing, you’re doing a great job. If you are the real one, you are consistent as “Madness takes its toll.” Forget the Time Warp. Trumpist is just plain warped.

      “…reality has never stopped me from ranting incoherently before.” That was especially on point and makes it look like the real Trumpist.

      Good work. I’ll give it a 95 cause it has a good beat and you can practically dance to it.

      Now, we sit back and wait for his flaming reaction. His keyboard must have sweat dripping all over the keys shorting them out.

      • You still didn’t answer. Can you really vote or just depress and bore everybody by complaining and dividing us when AMERICA is succeeding beyond Obama’s wildest dreams.

        6 more years, then Pence for 8 more. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Willy you worthless worm. Doesn’t that tweak your nose?

        PS: Your posts reflect the writing skill and creativity of a semi-literate 10 year old. Daffy Duck?? You can’t do better than that???? LOL

        MAGA, KAG, USA USA USA

  5. Take food stamps away from everybody who cares if they starve. There will be less worthless people. I hate people on food stamps

    • @Ron apparently your blind cause everybody that abuses the system didn’t even cross the wall. They are just worthless like you.

  8. “vulnerable residents who lack the power to fight back” MY ASS. Where do you think these stupid looking cholos and ms13 garbage comes from? All they want to do is exploit and suffocate Americans who want nothing to do with them while the rest of their families stink up california because thats where Hollywood and famous people live. I guarentee that if Hollywood and all of its flourishing aspects were to move to the center of mexico, all of these brown people and their mommas would pack their bags and move back to Mexywood with pride. I had my toes stepped on by plenty of illegals and studied their phsycology(or lack thereof) to know that thats the truth. If there werent enough illegals here in California, people such as Hilda Solis wouldnt be so important and would have to get a real job to pay taxes just like everyone else.

    • Alby please I bet you don’t even have a job u probably just popping out kids to exploit the government yourself but want to blame the rest for your laziness and by the way bi** c how the f do you do know they are illegals or you just assume like everyone else?

      • Kiki please, if I was popping out kids, that mean I be gettin busy gurl. Im too occupied workin at my job and typin on this website to make time to make little Albys or Kikis, and unless a woman knocks me out and locks me in a basement, I definately dont see it happening for the rest of the year.

  9. If we go Mexico would we get the same health care. And welfare. I have know people who bring family here just to get care. And we have to pay for it. The people who do come here and pay there fair share of taxes. Out weights the one that dont pay any taxes. Like the one who sell on the corners. If they make 100.00 a day how much taxes you think they pay zero. My daughter works and she can not even get med cal. But one that come here illegally can get it free. But she still has to pay taxes on her check for the one who gets it for free is that fair.

  10. Other countries have similar rules and regulations regarding income levels, assets, and health coverage.