For Immediate Release: August 12, 2019
Contact: Lee Morrow, [email protected], 202-601-7871

Catholic Lobby: Trump’s New “Public Charge” Rule is Sinful
Sr. Simone: “President Trump is literally taking food off the tables of our neighbors while padding the pocketbooks of his billionaire friends.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Trump released his so-called “Public Charge” Rule, his most drastic anti-immigrant policy yet. This regulation punishes immigrants who use legally-allowed, life-saving services. Its purpose is to strip the dignity from our immigrant neighbors and instill fear in their hearts. NETWORK issued the following statement:

Sister Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice said:

“The Trump administration is doing in the dark what it couldn’t do in Congress. This Public Charge rule is a part of the full scale assault on hard working low wage workers who rely on legally-allowed, life-saving services. These essential programs make up for the starvation wages paid by wealthy companies. President Trump is literally taking food off the tables of our neighbors while padding the pocketbooks of his billionaire friends. It is wrong, and I pray the courts will stop the rule’s implementation.”

Catholic Sisters and activists have come together to counteract President Trump’s sinful policy. NETWORK collaborated with a broad interfaith and advocacy coalition to help submit over 250,000 public comments against the “public charge” rule that was just enacted. Our struggle against this intransigent Administration that won’t lift a finger to raise wages will continue as long as these hateful regulations exist.

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NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice – advocates for justice inspired by Catholic Sisters – educates, organizes, and lobbies for economic and social transformation. They have a 46-year track record of lobbying for critical federal programs that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good. www.networklobby.org