WASHINGTON (January 22, 2020) – Rep. Marcia L. Fudge, Chair of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations in a statement Wednesday underscored the importance of an amicus brief filed Tuesday night by the U.S. House of Representatives in Casa de Maryland v. Trump, a challenge to the Administration’s recent public charge rule. The rule seeks to deny green cards to legal immigrants based on their need or perceived need for public assistance, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, or housing vouchers. Chair Fudge issued the following statement:

“The public charge rule is nothing more than the Administration’s attempt to codify discrimination. The amicus brief makes clear the House of Representatives – the People’s House – will not stand for it. The rule allows for discrimination in both its application and enforcement by allowing the Federal government to use racial and ethnic profiling to guess which legal immigrants might eventually need access to public assistance. It’s also important to remember the Administration’s rule targets people who are here in this country legally and, therefore, entitled to apply for assistance, if they need it. This attempt to regulate by stereotype is un-American and a new, shameful low.”