NYC Fears Immigrants Will Skip Healthcare Due to Green Card Policy Changes

New York City health officials are warning that recent federal changes to the green card application process could deter immigrants from accessing vital public benefits like Medicaid and SNAP. The Trump administration's new rules, which took effect in mid-September, expand the criteria for determining whether an immigrant is likely to become a "public charge." This assessment now includes benefits such as housing assistance, financial aid, SNAP, and Medicaid, potentially affecting green card and visa approvals.

Bailey Hu, a senior policy analyst at the city health department, emphasized during a recent webinar that immigrants should not abandon benefits they qualify for without consulting a legal expert. "We don't want people because of fear or confusion not using really important benefits that could help keep them healthy and safe," Hu advised. The new rules apply only to specific immigration cases, such as family-based green card applications, and do not affect those renewing green cards, applying for citizenship, or seeking humanitarian protections.

The city has released a fact sheet clarifying the new rules, noting that they do not apply to asylum seekers or refugees. New York and 21 other states have sued to block the changes, but they remain in effect for now. The Trump administration's previous attempt to alter the public charge rule was blocked in court during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other policies are also making healthcare access more challenging for immigrants. For instance, changes to temporary protected status (TPS) have led to job losses and the potential loss of employer-based health insurance for some New Yorkers. Additionally, starting in January, about 15,000 immigrants will lose federal subsidies for private health plans purchased through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, making insurance unaffordable for many.