N.J. Human Services Commissioner Johnson Statement on Today’s U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Trump Admin’s ‘Cruel and Unnecessary’ Public Charge Rule

Jan. 27, 2020

(TRENTON) – New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson released the following statement today after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Trump Administration’s plan to expand the definition of a public charge, a move that will undermine the health and well-being of New Jersey families:

“All residents need access to nutrition, health care, and other essential supports to help them get on the best possible financial footing and keep children healthy, parents working and families strong. These changes and this ruling make it needlessly difficult for lawfully present immigrants and their families to become legal permanent residents or change their temporary status in the United States.

“We have already seen the chilling effect this proposal was creating in communities across our state, and now we will have an environment where families will feel compelled to choose between health care or food assistance and their green card. That’s cruel and unnecessary, and will shift an increased burden to resources such as food pantries and emergency rooms.

“It’s bad policy that should be withdrawn.”