* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: President Scott
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
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Opposing the Changes to the “Public Charge” Rule
For the purpose of standing in solidarity with Baltimore’s immigrant communities in opposition to the changes made by the Trump Administration to the “public charge” rule.
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Recitals
On February 24, 2020, the Trump Administration’s changes to the “public charge” rule took effect. The changes to the rule seek to block non-citizens from receiving a green card or certain types of visas if the government decides the non-citizen is likely to rely on federal support in the future. In the past, a “public charge” has been defined as someone who is “primarily dependent on the government for subsistence.” Whether an individual has met the definition has depended on whether the individual either used public cash assistance for income maintenance or was institutionalized for long-term care at government expense. These kinds of assistance include SSI, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (“TANF”), state and local cash assistance, medicaid, or other programs supporting long term care such as nursing homes. This definition of “public charge” prevented few immigrants from receiving a green card or visa in the past because Congress has barred most immigrants from using assistance like TANF and because most green card applicants are required to have a sponsor who can demonstrate financial resources th...
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