Statement from Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman and Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin on Recent Final Public Charge Rule from the US Department of Homeland Security

September 13, 2022

(TRENTON) – Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman and Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin released the following statement on the recent final public charge rule from the US Department of Homeland Security:

“The recent announcement from the U.S Department of Homeland Security regarding the final public charge rule is welcome news for immigrant families here in New Jersey and throughout the country. The Biden administration has officially rolled back changes to this policy from the previous administration, that only succeeded in spreading fear among immigrant families and kept them from seeking important services. New Jersey led the states by challenging the Trump administration policy and called it out for what it was–inhumane–and stood up policies like the Immigrant Trust Directive, which was designed to strengthen trust between New Jersey’s law enforcement officers and the state’s diverse immigrant communities. Immigrant families in New Jersey in need of healthcare and food assistance should not fear applying for these important benefits for themselves and their families, nor should they fear reaching out to law enforcement if they are victims of crime. This decision reaffirms our values as a nation, and helps ensure that families most in need can rely on basic services essential to their health and wellbeing.”