DHS issues rule to revise Trump’s ‘public charge’ policy, easing access to health services for immigrants

The Department of Homeland Security on Thursday issued a new rule to revise a Trump administration policy that effectively discouraged non-citizen immigrants from using government-funded health services.

The new rule clarifies that DHS will not classify non-citizens as “public charges” — a classification that could result in them being denied green cards — based on their use of health-related benefits and government services.

“People who qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, and other health programs should receive the care they need without fear of jeopardizing their immigration status,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. “As we have experienced with Covid, it’s in the interest of all Americans when we utilize the health care and other services at our disposal to improve public health for everyone.”

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