We recently shared information about a gravely concerning proposed rule that would threaten immigrants’ access to critical benefits. The proposed rule is still under review at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and has not yet been published. But many are concerned. On Tuesday, At NoHLA’s request, Washington’s Governor Inslee was the first Governor to send a letter to the OMB Director requesting that before publishing the proposed rule, OMB staff meet with his staff about the economic impacts to Washington State. Families declining health care, food assistance or other important programs will “increase downstream costs on taxpayers, do irreparable harm to the productivity of our economy, and compromise the health and safety of our communities.” Our state is home to 455,000 U.S. citizen children with at least one immigrant parent. A Center on Poverty and Social Policy report found that the proposed changes to the public charge rule would have a disproportionate effect on citizen children of immigrant parents—putting 500,000 more U.S. citizen children at risk of poverty by foregoing non-cash food assistance benefits.

We appreciate Governor Inslee’s leadership to protect immigrants and their families! Thanks to Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan for also sending a letter requesting an OMB meeting.