Res. No. 608
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.
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