ASAN condemns the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) finalization of the “Public Charge” rule, which discriminates against immigrants who need public benefits to survive. Under this new rule, any immigrants who receive or could receive public benefits, such as Medicaid or SNAP, or who have medical conditions requiring “extensive medical treatment”, can be denied entry to or permanent residency in the United States. This rule will be used as justification to create even more barriers to immigration for disabled immigrants, low-income immigrants, and immigrants of color. This blatantly ableist and racist regulation should not be allowed to stand.
ASAN has rallied against the passage of this rule, and we are outraged that DHS has ignored the voices of the communities that this rule would so negatively impact. Immigrants, including low-income and disabled immigrants, are a crucial component of our community, and needing support should never impact immigration status. To our community members who are frightened for their future: we see you, and we stand with you. We will continue to fight to ensure that all immigrants are able to access the path to American citizenship, regardless of disability.
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization run by and for autistic people. ASAN was created to serve as a national grassroots disability rights organization for the autistic community run by and for autistic Americans, advocating for systems change and ensuring that the voices of autistic people are heard in policy debates and the halls of power. Our staff work to educate communities, support self-advocacy in all its forms, and improve public perceptions of autism. ASAN’s members and supporters include autistic adults and youth, cross-disability advocates, and non-autistic family members, professionals, educators, and friends.