NLSLA Expands Public Charge Advocacy to Reach Immigrants in Myriad Communities

In the aftermath of changes to federal law that redefine who is considered a “public charge”—or taxpayer burden—in the eyes of immigration officials, NLSLA has significantly increased its efforts to educate immigrants and partner organizations on the changes, and to prevent unnecessary loss of critical public benefits in impacted communities.

NLSLA has expanded advocacy efforts into several languages, targeting fear and misinformation about the changes in multiple immigrant communities and generating important educational materials in Spanish, Armenian and Mandarin.

“We’re trying to get accurate information out there to as many immigrant communities as possible,” said Executive Director Yvonne Mariajimenez. “These changes have instilled fear in so many immigrant communities, yet very few immigrants will actually be impacted, so it’s so important to let people know they don’t need to drop critical benefits.”