Shelby Gonzales
@shelbytgonzales.bsky.social
Mother, daughter, yogi and seeker of justice.
As the daughter of immigrants who once relied on public benefits to help me get through times of struggle, I’m heartbroken today that others will be obstructed from having similar supports to get them through challenging times.
November 18, 2025 at 2:02 AM
As the daughter of immigrants who once relied on public benefits to help me get through times of struggle, I’m heartbroken today that others will be obstructed from having similar supports to get them through challenging times.
Courts blocked the Trump rule, and the Biden Admin generally restored the long-standing, fair policy that is consistent with the law and has guided public charge decisions for decades. The Trump Admin’s new move threatens to undo it and will frighten people from accessing benefits once again.
November 18, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Courts blocked the Trump rule, and the Biden Admin generally restored the long-standing, fair policy that is consistent with the law and has guided public charge decisions for decades. The Trump Admin’s new move threatens to undo it and will frighten people from accessing benefits once again.
Even U.S. citizen children, who would never have to undergo a public charge assessment, went without food and health care because their parents feared enrolling them would later result in their family not being able to stay together in the U.S. www.urban.org/research/pub...
One in Five Adults in Immigrant Families with Children Reported Chilling Effects on Public Benefit Receipt in 2019
In 2018, the Trump administration proposed sweeping changes to the “public charge” rule that would make it more difficult for applicants to obtain green card…
www.urban.org
November 18, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Even U.S. citizen children, who would never have to undergo a public charge assessment, went without food and health care because their parents feared enrolling them would later result in their family not being able to stay together in the U.S. www.urban.org/research/pub...
Many of those who chose not to receive help they were eligible for were already LPRs or had other statuses that meant that they would not face a public charge assessment. But the rules were complicated and stoked fear among many.
November 18, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Many of those who chose not to receive help they were eligible for were already LPRs or had other statuses that meant that they would not face a public charge assessment. But the rules were complicated and stoked fear among many.
Even before the Trump rule was finalized, people were terrified by the proposed policy change & many chose to forgo food assistance & health coverage out of fear that doing so would harm them under the policy in the works. www.urban.org/urban-wire/p...
With Public Charge Rule Looming, One in Seven Adults in Immigrant Families Reported Avoiding Public Benefit Programs in 2018
A new report provides evidence of “chilling effects” on immigrant families’ participation in safety net programs.
www.urban.org
November 18, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Even before the Trump rule was finalized, people were terrified by the proposed policy change & many chose to forgo food assistance & health coverage out of fear that doing so would harm them under the policy in the works. www.urban.org/urban-wire/p...
The first Trump Admin issued a reg that turned this assessment into a wealth test, and would have barred (if it had been implemented) many without substantial means from obtaining LPR or other lawful status. threatening family-based immigration.
November 18, 2025 at 2:02 AM
The first Trump Admin issued a reg that turned this assessment into a wealth test, and would have barred (if it had been implemented) many without substantial means from obtaining LPR or other lawful status. threatening family-based immigration.
For decades, “public charge” referred narrowly to someone primarily dependent on the government for subsistence (as measured by receipt of cash assistance or long-term institutional medical care, such as Medicaid-funded care in a nursing home).
November 18, 2025 at 2:02 AM
For decades, “public charge” referred narrowly to someone primarily dependent on the government for subsistence (as measured by receipt of cash assistance or long-term institutional medical care, such as Medicaid-funded care in a nursing home).
For context: people applying to become a lawful permanent resident (LPR or green card holder) & other immigration statuses generally must undergo a “public charge” assessment which examines their income, health, and financial stability.
November 18, 2025 at 2:02 AM
For context: people applying to become a lawful permanent resident (LPR or green card holder) & other immigration statuses generally must undergo a “public charge” assessment which examines their income, health, and financial stability.
Out of fear of being punished under a new policy, there is a strong risk that many people will forgo food, shelter, medical care & other supports despite being eligible . DHS is counting on this & estimates approx. $8.97 billion annual savings due to this chill in benefits.
November 18, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Out of fear of being punished under a new policy, there is a strong risk that many people will forgo food, shelter, medical care & other supports despite being eligible . DHS is counting on this & estimates approx. $8.97 billion annual savings due to this chill in benefits.
Though the policy hasn’t changed yet, many people will expect any future public charge policy to be extremely harsh given the Trump Admin’s track record of adopting severe policies and taking other cruel and unjust action against immigrants.
November 18, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Though the policy hasn’t changed yet, many people will expect any future public charge policy to be extremely harsh given the Trump Admin’s track record of adopting severe policies and taking other cruel and unjust action against immigrants.
The newly released proposed rule rescinds the Biden-era rule but does not replace it with alternative language. Instead it indicates that it will create new policy in the future.
November 18, 2025 at 2:02 AM
The newly released proposed rule rescinds the Biden-era rule but does not replace it with alternative language. Instead it indicates that it will create new policy in the future.
False claims focused on people who lack a documented status mislead the public by implying they get federal health coverage. That’s not true and blurs the impact of the megabill while distracting from urgent efforts to prevent coverage losses and cost hikes for U.S. citizens.
September 30, 2025 at 7:55 PM
False claims focused on people who lack a documented status mislead the public by implying they get federal health coverage. That’s not true and blurs the impact of the megabill while distracting from urgent efforts to prevent coverage losses and cost hikes for U.S. citizens.
False claims focused on people who lack aw/out documented status mislead the public by implying they get federal health coverage. That’s not true and blurs the impact of the megabill while distracting from urgent efforts prevent coverage losses and cost hikes for U.S. citizens.
September 30, 2025 at 7:47 PM
False claims focused on people who lack aw/out documented status mislead the public by implying they get federal health coverage. That’s not true and blurs the impact of the megabill while distracting from urgent efforts prevent coverage losses and cost hikes for U.S. citizens.
Immigrants who are lawfully living in the U.S. should be able to access core federal health programs that support their ability to get the care they need and contribute to their communities.
September 30, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Immigrants who are lawfully living in the U.S. should be able to access core federal health programs that support their ability to get the care they need and contribute to their communities.
Repealing these provisions of the harmful megabill would protect people from coverage losses and preserve state and provider payments, including for refugees, asylees, and certain victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking. www.cbpp.org/blog/turning...
Turning Away From National Commitment, House Bill Takes Away Food Assistance and Health Coverage From People Granted Humanitarian Protections | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
In a stark departure from our country’s long history of supporting people fleeing violence and persecution, the House Republican reconciliation bill would take away food assistance and health...
www.cbpp.org
September 30, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Repealing these provisions of the harmful megabill would protect people from coverage losses and preserve state and provider payments, including for refugees, asylees, and certain victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking. www.cbpp.org/blog/turning...
It takes away marketplace tax credits & Medicare from most categories of lawful immigrants and yanks federal funding for Medicaid and &CHIP for these groups, leaving 1.4m uninsured in 2034 per CBO. The marketplace change makes up most of these cuts, with 900K uninsured.
September 30, 2025 at 7:47 PM
It takes away marketplace tax credits & Medicare from most categories of lawful immigrants and yanks federal funding for Medicaid and &CHIP for these groups, leaving 1.4m uninsured in 2034 per CBO. The marketplace change makes up most of these cuts, with 900K uninsured.
The megabill also slashes federal coverage programs for immigrants who are living lawfully in the U.S. www.cbpp.org/research/hea...
By the Numbers: Harmful Republican Megabill Will Take Health Coverage Away From Millions of People and Raise Families’ Costs | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
The Republican reconciliation law, enacted on July 4, will take health coverage away from millions of people and dramatically raise health care costs for millions more.
www.cbpp.org
September 30, 2025 at 7:47 PM
The megabill also slashes federal coverage programs for immigrants who are living lawfully in the U.S. www.cbpp.org/research/hea...
Its failure to extend premium tax credit enhancements in the marketplace will raise costs and slash coverage for more than 20m people, including people with low incomes, small business owners, farmers, realtors, and older people not yet in #Medicare.
September 30, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Its failure to extend premium tax credit enhancements in the marketplace will raise costs and slash coverage for more than 20m people, including people with low incomes, small business owners, farmers, realtors, and older people not yet in #Medicare.
The megabill will take away health coverage from millions of people who are citizens or are lawfully present in the U.S., including children and seniors. www.cbpp.org/research/imm...
House Republican Reconciliation Bill Takes Away Health Coverage, Food Assistance, Tax Credits From Millions of Immigrants and Their Families | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
The House Republican reconciliation bill would impose massive cuts in food assistance, health care coverage, and other supports for people with low incomes and singles out immigrants with lawful statu...
www.cbpp.org
September 30, 2025 at 7:47 PM
The megabill will take away health coverage from millions of people who are citizens or are lawfully present in the U.S., including children and seniors. www.cbpp.org/research/imm...
Immigrants w/out a documented status are ineligible for #Medicaid coverage, CHIP, Medicare, & ACA credits and will remain so under the Democrats proposal.
September 30, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Immigrants w/out a documented status are ineligible for #Medicaid coverage, CHIP, Medicare, & ACA credits and will remain so under the Democrats proposal.
Only U.S. citizens & people w/ lawful immigration status would benefit from efforts to reverse health cuts in the Republican megabill & extend premium tax credit enhancements.
September 30, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Only U.S. citizens & people w/ lawful immigration status would benefit from efforts to reverse health cuts in the Republican megabill & extend premium tax credit enhancements.