Food Is a Basic Human Right

The final public charge rule was published on the Federal Register Wednesday. This rule will allow immigration officials to consider an applicant’s use of SNAP, housing, Medicaid, and cash assistance as a negative factor against their application for a green card or for a temporary visa. The rule serves to create confusion and fear in immigrant communities and will lead to increased hunger and poverty as our newest neighbors fear that they face the impossibly cruel choice between the promise of living with their family or the assistance needed to keep themselves and their family fed, healthy, and housed.

Northwest Harvest denounces this rule. It is a core value for Northwest Harvest since our founding in 1967 that no one who is hungry should ever be denied or feel intimidated from asking for help. We believe that food is a basic right, an essential ingredient for maintaining good health and therefore integral for the strength and well-being of our communities. This is why we ask you to join us in fighting back against the fear by taking action and sharing information so that immigrant communities have the information they need to decide about continuing to access the programs and services for which they are lawfully eligible.

Here are the key things to remember:

• The rule does not take effect until October 15.
• Implementation of the rule can be blocked by a court decision or Congressional action.
• The rule does not apply to U.S. citizens, green card holders that are applying for citizenship, refugees, asylees, or victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and other protected visa holders.
• The rule does not apply to other food assistance programs including WIC, school meals, summer meals, and food banks.
• We are not powerless here: we have the ability to share information to help immigrants get the help they need and to call on Congress to take action to block this rule from implementation.

WHAT YOU CAN DO