• Brooklyn
  • Manhattan
Friday, January 15, 2021
Newsletter
Queens County Politics
  • News
    • Activism
    • Arts, Sports & Leisure
    • Community Close-Up
    • Education
    • Election
    • Government
      • City Government
      • State Government
      • Federal Government
    • Legislation/Policy
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Transportation
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • News
    • Activism
    • Arts, Sports & Leisure
    • Community Close-Up
    • Education
    • Election
    • Government
      • City Government
      • State Government
      • Federal Government
    • Legislation/Policy
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Transportation
  • About
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Queens County Politics
No Result
View All Result

Dromm, Menchaca, Cruz, Richards Educate Immigrants on Trump Admin’s Public Charge Proposal

Michael Rock by Michael Rock
November 21, 2018
in Uncategorized
1
0
SHARES
54
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

City Council Members Daniel Dromm (D-East Elmhurt, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights) and Carlos Menchaca (D-Brooklyn) last night held a town hall meeting in front of several hundred worried immigrants to discuss a Trump administration proposed rule change that would make it harder for immigrants reliant on government benefits to obtain or keep their green cards.

The town hall held in the PS 69 auditorium in Jackson Heights specifically was called to address the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) proposed rule change that  would render immigrants who receive certain forms of public assistance (i.e. Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP and Section 8 vouchers) potentially ineligible for U.S. permanent residency (Green Card).

The rule change was published in the Federal Register in October, kicking off a 60-day public comment period.

Dromm opened the meeting, where he described the rule change as a “threat to our immigrant communities.” “If the Trump Administration implements this, it will be detrimental to our immigrant community, and our city will lose money if this policy goes through as proposed,” he said.

Assemblymember-elect Caralina Cruz. Photo by MIchael Rock.

Assemblymember-elect Catalina Cruz (D-Corona, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights) agreed. “As a formerly undocumented American, our constituents shouldn’t have to suffer consequences if they apply for citizenship,” she said.

Meanwhile, Councilmember Donovan Richards (D-Arverne, Bayswater, Broad Channel, Cambria Heights, Edgemere, Far Rockaway, Howard Beach, Jamaica, JFK Airport, Laurelton, Rockaway Beach, Rosedale, South Ozone Park, Springfield Gardens), recognizing his many Latino constituents asserted that there was no positive reason to implement this policy.

“This is about striking fear at the very heart of those that make America great in the first place,” Richards said. “We must get together, organize, and educate each other,”

City Councilmember Donovan Richards. Photo by Michael Rock.

Despite Menchaca’s indication that as many as 475,000 New Yorkers could be affected by the change, he offered attendees reason to hope. He made it clear that the regulation is “…just a proposal,” and that a potential law change was “months away.”

He also indicated that there was a way in which average voters could attempt to prevent the proposal from being enacted, encouraging all attendees to comment on the matter at www.uramericanstory.us by the December 10 deadline. DHS are obligated to read every comment. As of last night, 68,000 Americans have done so.

“Make sure your voice is heard by telling them, you’ll slow it down,” said Menchaca.

“One thing we know from history is that uncertainty produces fear, and fear is what robs people of their agency. The solution is to dispel rumors through education and remind people of their own power. These town halls are a vehicle for that education and empowerment. People need to know that the public charge rule is just a proposal. It is not final. You still can and should seek public benefits if you are eligible,” he added.

Tags: Catalina CruzCity Council Member Daniel DrommCity Councilman Donovan RichardsFederal PolicyGreen CardsImmigration IssuesqueensQueens Politics
Previous Post

Queens Lawmakers On The Move Nov. 21, 2018

Next Post

Queens Lawmakers On The Move Nov. 26, 2018

Michael Rock

Michael Rock

Michael Rock is a New York-based blogger and journalist. In addition to his personal blog, The Disaffected American, his work has been published on WhoWhatWhy, Forward, News Cult, The Times of Israel, and HistoryBuff.

Next Post
Queens County City Council News

Queens Lawmakers On The Move Nov. 26, 2018

Comments 1

  1. Avatar TOM says:
    2 years ago

    475,000? Does NYC DSS or NYS DSS agree with this number?

Subscribe to Our Daily Newsletter!

Podcast: Black & Jewish

Chaya and Ariama with the logo for "Black & Jewish" logo

Today's Top Read

  • Shaniyat Chowdhury

    Chowdhury’s Instagram Post on Human Right Violations of Uyghurs Stirs Controversy

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Pass the Baby Bottle – It Ain’t a Torch but It’ll Do

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • A New CQuID is on the Scene Extending it’s Tentacles into Queens

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Queens Lawmakers on the Move Jan. 7, 2021

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Queens Lawmakers Join Call for Trump’s Removal

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Queens County Politics

©2020 Never Sink Media

Check out other local political news!

  • Brooklyn
  • Manhattan

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • About
  • Contact Us

©2020 Never Sink Media