Statement from Commissioner Bitta Mostofi on the Public Charge Rule / Release of USCIS Guidance

The federal government’s newest announced decision to apply the Public Charge rule retroactively to all pending applications and petitions received on or after February 24, 2020 is unconscionable, cruel, and heartlessly punishes immigrant communities—primarily Black and Brown—who, due to the confusion the rule has already created, have feared accessing the public benefits they need, are eligible for, and are legally entitled to during the biggest public health crisis in our lifetime. Let us never forget that during our darkest hours in the spring of this year, among the essential workers we stood and clapped for every night, over half are born in another country.

New Yorkers who have questions about the Public Charge rule can call the ActionNYC hotline at 1-800-354-0365, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., to access timely and trusted information and connections to City-funded, free and safe immigration legal help. New York City is here for you and will never stop fighting for you. Please visit nyc.gov/public charge for more information.