HoustonPublicMedia.org

The Trump administration is proposing a new immigration rule that could have a major impact on public health in cities like Houston. The proposed public charge rule would make it harder for legal immigrants to get a visa if they use, or are deemed likely to use, certain public benefits like Medicaid, food stamps, and housing vouchers. The Department of Homeland Security said the rule ensures people who come here are self-sufficient. The department estimates some 382,000 applications would be under review each year and subject to the new rule. Meanwhile, some within Greater Houston’s health care community say one impact of the new rule is that it will make the city sicker. That’s why the City of Houston’s Health Department, and other local health organizations, are voicing opposition to new rule. Houston Health Authority Dr. David Persse co-authored a letter against it to the Department of Homeland Security.