Immigrant Families at Risk: Public Charge Proposals, Data Sharing and How Funders Can Help

Immigrant families are navigating a rapidly shifting policy landscape that could dramatically change how they access basic supports and how their sensitive personal information is used.

Changes to Basic Supports. A newly released set of proposed federal rules would significantly expand how “public charge” determinations are made—potentially reshaping long-standing policies that have guided access to public benefits for decades. If finalized, immigrants may be denied lawful permanent residence (also known as a green card) due to using benefit programs, including Medicaid, CHIP, and potentially housing subsidies, nutrition assistance, or family members' use of benefits or tax credits.

Personal Data Sharing. At the same time, increased immigration enforcement actions and expanded data sharing between government agencies and the Department of Homeland Security are amplifying uncertainty and concern within immigrant communities.

Why This Matters Now. The stakes are high. Nearly 1 in 4 children in the United States has at least one immigrant parent, and millions of mixed-status families rely on health care, nutrition, and housing programs to remain stable. Research following previous public charge policy changes found that many eligible families withdrew from programs out of fear or confusion, even when the rules did not apply to them. Early reports suggest a similar chilling effect is already underway.

What Funders Can Do. Join field leaders and fellow funders for a timely virtual conversation to:

Get the latest updates on what these proposed rules would change—and what remains uncertain,
Understand the immediate and long-term implications for immigrant families and the organizations that serve them,
Share what field leaders and philanthropy are seeing on the ground, and
Identify concrete ways foundations can respond now and in the months ahead.

This session is open to staff of philanthropic organizations and philanthropic advisors.