OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
December 12,2018
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith a resolution regarding the Department of Homeland Security's proposed rule expanding the definition of "Public Charge."
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, guidelines pertaining to immigrants or potential immigrants being deemed public charges have been codified in federal law through the McCarran-Walter Act of 1952 and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, and historically have been narrowly tailored to only pertain to immigrants who are or would be primarily dependent on federal cash programs for their support; and
WHEREAS, according to longstanding policy, the public charge determination has never included the receipt of non-cash government benefit programs, including but not limited food stamps, medical care, and housing assistance; and
WHEREAS, On October 10, 2018, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a Proposed Rule expanding the definition of "Public Charge," to include the potential use of the aforementioned non-cash benefits as grounds to deny or restrict legal status of immigrants and potential immigrants; and
WHEREAS, the implementation ofthe proposed rule may be used to not only determine which immigrants may be barred from entry into the United States, but also which lawfully present immigrants may become permanent residents; and
WHEREAS, DHS, in its own filing, openly admits that the Proposed Rule will likely create a "chilling effect" in immigrant communities, discouraging immigrants from applying for and participating in benefits programs for which they are eligible; and
WHEREAS, the actions of DHS in this matter, in concert with the addition of questions regarding citizenship to the decennial United States Census and the D...
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