The economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic had a major impact on low-income immigrantsYes, but a good part of them preferred not to apply for social programs out of fear regarding their legal situation in the country.
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It is the main conclusion of the study published this Wednesday by the study center Urban Institute on the consequences of the economic crisis in employment, food security and basic needs of the most vulnerable immigrants. The study was carried out in December 2020 electronically and with national representation.
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The 51.8% of adults of low-income families assured that the pandemic negatively affected to your job or that of a member of your family.
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But not only in employment: 41.4% said they had suffered food insecurity; 26.8% reported problems paying health bills and 25.7% not having been able to access medical care due to its cost.
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And also: 21.7% had problems paying your mortgage or rent and 22.6% for pay utility bills.
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Despite suffering from these vulnerabilities, 27.5% said they had not requested social assistance due to their concern regarding their legal situation in the country. The percentage is higher, 43.9%, among those who do not have permanent residence or whose relatives do not.
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Fear of legal status in the country caused low-income immigrants not to apply for food programs (13.2%), health aid (10.9%) and housing assistance (9.8%).
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Fear of the “Public Charge” policy
Immigrants in a vulnerable situation and who do not have their residence in the country permanently assured fear the “Public Charge” policy applied by now former President Donald Trump.
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Under this rule, immigrants who request social assistance for housing, food or health care they could be excluded from obtaining legal permanent residence.
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“These families have significant health care needs and if those needs are not met it will affect the entire family,” said study author Jennifer Haley.
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Trump’s policy and confusion as to its scope caused what the Urban Institute describes as an exodus of immigrant families who withdrew from food and health care benefits to which they were entitled.
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The Supreme Court The United States rejected a request to revive the public charge rule of the previous Donald Trump administration, which affected procedures such as residency applications.
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