In early October, the Trump administration proposed changes to the “public charge” rule which would prevent immigrants on the path to citizenship who use some government benefits from gaining permanent lawful immigration status.

This new rule directly targets people applying for United States citizenship by penalizing them for using programs like Medicaid or SNAP when they apply for citizenship. By doing so, thousands of immigrants could be forced to choose between protecting their path for citizenship or accessing the necessary and lifesaving programs that can keep their families safe and healthy.

It is the latest rule from an administration that has been obsessed with limiting the rights of immigrant families. It makes immigration a pay-to-play scheme, putting the wealthy ahead of families who have waited years to be reunited. If finalized, this rule would directly contradict the values that our country claims to represent.

America is a country of immigrants. Throughout our history, the United States has prided itself as a nation that welcomes people who want to build a better life and make a home here. With this latest action, President Trump is going against the foundational values this country was built on and threatening hard working immigrant families.

But when Trump has gone too far, we’ve fought back and won. Now, we must join together, like we have done before, and stand with immigrants by voicing our opposition to the this new rule.

#BREAKING: The public charge rule has officially been posted to the Federal Register. Voice your opposition to this unjust proposal by submitting a unique comment here ➡️ https://t.co/nhFyvXERsY pic.twitter.com/71sH2IpNEc

— New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) (@thenyic) October 10, 2018

When President Donald Trump attacks immigrant communities, he attacks all of us. By joining together we can make a better future for us all, no matter what we look like or how long we’ve been here.