July 30, 2020 — CCALAC cheers this week’s court ruling that will ensure immigrant communities access to critical services without fear of immigration consequences during the COVID-19 crisis. On Wednesday, the District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a temporary injunction blocking the Department of Homeland Security’s public charge rule for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency declaration.
The public charge rule has created fear and reluctance for immigrants to access services, thus harming communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Immigrants, especially those serving as essential workers, must be able to access health care and other essential services to keep themselves, their families and their communities safe from COVID-19.
The court’s ruling would not have happened without the tireless efforts of the immigrant rights attorneys who fight for our immigrant communities. We applaud the court’s decision and join our members, partners, friends and neighbors in celebrating this critical win that will help ensure immigrant communities remain safe and healthy during this public health crisis.
The public charge rule will be blocked as long as the injunction remains in place. CCALAC remains committed to working with our partners to fight the public charge regulations and ensure everyone is able to access the resources and services they need, during this pandemic and beyond.
THE COMMUNITY CLINIC ASSOCIATION OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY (CCALAC) is the largest regional association of community clinics and health centers in California. Founded in 1994, CCALAC has 64 members that serve nearly 1.7 million patients throughout LA County. CCALAC is dedicated to serving and representing the interests of its member clinics as providers of quality health care, including medical, dental and pharmacy services. For more information about CCALAC, visit www.ccalac.org or call (213) 201-6500.
Contact: Joanne Preece, MPH – Director of Government & External Affairs, (213) 201-6515.