Resolution authorizing the Speaker to submit a public comment on behalf of the Council to the Federal Register, concerning the proposed change to the Public Charge rule.

Text

Res. No. 608 ..Title Resolution authorizing the Speaker to submit a public comment on behalf of the Council to the Federal Register, concerning the proposed change to the Public Charge rule. ..Body By the Speaker (Council Member Johnson) and Council Members Ayala, Yeger, Rosenthal, Rivera, Menchaca, Kallos, Gibson, Miller, Eugene, Chin, Constantinides and Levin Whereas, New York City is home to more than three million immigrants; and Whereas, Approximately 38 percent of New Yorkers are immigrants who make up 45 percent of the city's workforce; and Whereas, New York City has, and will continue to be, a city that embraces diversity and promotes equality and respect for all of its inhabitants; and Whereas, On October 10, 2018, the Department of Homeland Security issued a new proposed rule that would fundamentally shift the current legal interpretation of "public charge" determinations in certain immigration filings; and Whereas, The new proposed rule expands the number and types of benefits that are counted against immigrant applicants for visas and green cards; and Whereas, The new proposed rule also changes the way in which the totality of an immigrant's circumstances are weighted in a visa or green card application; and Whereas, The rule will create a system of preference for the wealthy, needlessly and cruelly discriminating against the poor, the sick, the elderly and the very young; and Whereas, Approximately 1 in 6 immigrant New Yorkers are likely to face adverse consequences from this rule change; and Whereas, The City of New York is proud of its immigrant residents, and will make every effort to extend a viable social safety net to immigrant New Yorkers; and Whereas, The proposed rule is open to public comment between October 10, 2018 and December 10, 2018; and Whereas, The City Council will continue to contest the proposed public charge rule change by submitting a public comment detailing the ways in which this rule change will be detrimental to our city, state and nation; therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York authorizes the Speaker to submit a public comment on behalf of the Council to the Federal Register, concerning the proposed change to the Public Charge rule. LS8875 EK 11/4/2018

Full text · NYC Council