COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS RESPONDS TO CHANGE IN “PUBLIC CHARGE RULE”

The national office of Communities In Schools (CIS) - the nation’s largest organization dedicated to empowering at-risk students to stay in school - today expressed strong disapproval of the change in the public charge rule, which aims to deny permanent legal status to those immigrants who access critical social services for themselves and their families.

“As the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of in-school supports, we are extremely disappointed in the Administration’s decision to implement a policy that threatens the economic security and emotional well-being of some of the nation’s most vulnerable students,” said Communities In Schools National Office President & CEO Dale Erquiaga. “Many of the young people we support come from immigrant families who need food assistance, housing vouchers, Medicaid and prescription drug benefits.

This policy means those students may return to school this fall feeling less secure about their basic needs being met and worried about the ability of their parents to secure permanent legal status in this country. Actions like these rob children of their sense of security and can create a learning environment filled with fear and stress. Organizations like ours will need to work closely with schools to be sure the conditions for learning continue to support academic success for all, even when some will be facing added levels of anxiety. "