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Thursday, Decmber 18th, 2025
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Not registered? Create your account. ================================================================ Tell DHS Not to Move Forward with “Public Charge” RuleThe Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new proposed rule that would change immigration policy. The proposed rule would cancel the 2022 public charge rule, which made it harder for immigration officials to consider a person’s disability when deciding whether they might one day rely on public benefits or become a “public charge.” Under the proposed new rule, individual DHS officers could decide for themselves who they believe might need benefits, which could make it less likely for disabled immigrants to have their immigration applications approved.
This change could lead DHS officials to make decisions about individuals seeking to immigrate to the United States or renew their visa or Green Card based on stereotypes about people with disabilities. DHS actually suggests in the introduction to the proposed rule that disability will be a negative factor in immigration decisions. Such a shift would greatly harm immigrants and their families, especially disabled immigrants, by barring individuals from entering the United States as a legal immigrant or updating their immigration status based on subjective opinions about the likelihood of someone with a disability one day needing to access public benefits such as Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The proposed rule is very broad and treats all government aid the same way. As it is written, the proposed rule does not distinguish between means-tested benefits, like Medicaid, and other government assistance available to everyone, including federal emergency assistance after a natural disaster. Additionally, allowing individual DHS officers to use their personal judgment could lead to immigrants receiving different determinations from different officers, resulting in inequitable outcomes for prospective immigrants.
Needing financial assistance or accessing public benefit programs should not be used to deny someone’s application to come to the United States on the basis that they will be a “burden to the state” because of the likelihood that the individual or their family member may one day rely on public benefits. There are millions of working disabled adults who rely on Medicaid, and there are millions of working parents whose disabled children rely on publicly funded special education services. Disabled people who rely on public benefits who do not work, whether as a result of their disability or as a result of the restrictions of the programs they need to survive, still contribute greatly to their families, their communities, and to this nation in a myriad of ways. The 2022 public charge rule made clear that disability does not determine whether someone will rely on public benefits, and this rule should remain in place.
We need your voice.
Please submit a comment today urging DHS to protect disabled immigrants and keep the 2022 public charge rule in place. Your story and perspective matter. |
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Why This MattersThe proposed rule would turn the nation back to a time when disability was seen as a reason to deny people entry into the United States.
Under the new proposal, DHS officers would once again be allowed to consider disability as a negative factor in deciding whether someone is likely to become a “public charge.” Without additional guidance, there is a significant risk that officers will assume people with disabilities are likely to depend on government benefits, such as housing assistance, Medicaid, or SNAP, regardless of their actual circumstances. Furthermore, reliance on programs such as Medicaid does not mean someone is unable or unwilling to participate in society; rather, programs like Medicaid provide the services and supports many need to work a job and live in their community, such as assistance with activities of daily living, accessible transportation to work, employment supports, and more.
How the proposal harms people with disabilities:- Treating disability as a predictor of dependence on government benefits is discriminatory. Disability does not determine a person’s ability to contribute, support themselves, or thrive, nor does reliance on public benefits. In fact, a 2020 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that about 70% of adult wage earners on SNAP and Medicaid worked full-time (35+ hours/week). Yet, due to low wages, many required assistance to meet their basic needs.
Many immigrants with disabilities come to the U.S. specifically to access medical care, technology, or supports that are unavailable in their home countries. Restricting their ability to enter the U.S. or adjust their immigration status once they are in the U.S. prevents them from gaining opportunities to live safely, receive treatment, and pursue options that allow them to lead healthy and independent lives. The proposal reinforces outdated stereotypes that people with disabilities are burdens, rather than full members of our communities with talents, culture, and value. Families may be forced to remain in dangerous, abusive, or medically unsafe situations because of discrimination during the immigration process. The rule undermines disability rights principles reflected in U.S. law and policy, including nondiscrimination and equal opportunity.
The 2022 rule protects immigrants and their families, including those with disabilities — and should remain in place.
The 2022 regulations rightly acknowledged that: Disability does not determine whether someone will rely on public benefits. Accessing health care, disability-related services, nutrition supports, or housing assistance should not be used against an individual in immigration decisions. Again, the majority of adults receiving public benefits, including Medicaid or SNAP, work full-time (at least 35 hours a week). Families should not be forced to choose between safety and immigration status.
Rolling back these protections would increase fear, confusion, and exclusion in immigrant communities — and would disproportionately harm people with disabilities. Your Action Can Make a DifferenceWe need thousands of comments to demonstrate to DHS that the disability community opposes any return to discriminatory public charge policies.
Submitting a comment only takes a few minutes, but it can make a long-lasting difference for people with disabilities seeking safety, opportunity, and care in the United States. We have provided a template for you to use when submitting your comment, which you can personalize to share how this proposed rule would affect you or someone you know. Feel free to share why this issue is important to you — personal stories are especially impactful. Thank you for supporting disabled immigrants and defending all disabled people’s right to live, thrive, and access essential care without fear. In solidarity,
AAPD Policy Team |
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*** The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization, AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the over 70 million Americans with disabilities by promoting equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation. To learn more, visit the AAPD website: www.aapd.com. |
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DISABILITY RESOURCES
NEW JERSEY GOVERNMENTAL RESOURCES: - Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. “The New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired was established in 1910 by order of the NJ State Legislature. This agency’s mission is to promote and provide services in the areas of education, employment, independent living and eye health through informed choice and partnership with persons who are blind or visually impaired, their families and the community. CBVI’s service programs are designed to enable consumers to achieve full inclusion and integration in society through success in employment, independent living, and social self-sufficiency. These services are made available through state and Federal funding and for the most part, are provided free of charge to residents of New Jersey without regard to other disabling conditions, gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.”
- New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities. “Through partnerships with individuals, families and service providers, we continually strike a balance between our core goals of ensuring health and safety while supporting and respecting the rights of individuals to make their own choices. In the community, individuals have access to a wide array of services through a network of over 500 providers, along with service planning by independent Support Coordinators. Available services include assistive technology, behavioral supports, day programming, a variety of employment options, various therapies, transportation, and the option to self-direct both employees and support services, including classes in the community. Individuals access these services through one of two Medicaid waiver programs.”
- New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS). “Individuals with a physical, mental, cognitive, or other form of disability that is a substantial impediment to employment may qualify for vocational rehabilitation (VR) services. The New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) provides VR services to individuals who are blind or have a significant visual impairment.”
NEW JERSEY ORGANIZATIONAL RESOURCES: - The ARC of New Jersey. “The Arc of New Jersey promotes and protects the human rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes; and is committed to enhancing the quality of life of those individuals and their families through advocacy, empowerment, education and prevention. The Arc of New Jersey, on behalf of all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will:
- secure the opportunity for them to choose and realize their individual goals;
- take a leadership position in developing public policy, laws and regulations and serve as public spokesperson and advocate for this constituency;
- reduce the incidence and limit the consequence of intellectual and developmental disabilities through advocacy, education, research and prevention activities;
- enhance their quality of life, thereby improving the quality of life for their families; and
- develop and foster programs, services and supports, and work with Local Chapters and The Arc of the United States to carry out our goals.”
- Community Health Law Project. “To provide legal and advocacy services, training, education, and related activities to persons with disabilities and chronic health conditions and, in certain issues, to organizations representing their interests, with an emphasis on those most vulnerable and needy. Founded in 1976, the Community Health Law Project (CHLP) is a New Jersey statewide not-for-profit advocacy and legal service organization which provides legal representation and advocacy services to low-income individuals with disabilities and the frail elderly. The organization has traditionally specialized in services exclusively for these populations, although recently the organization has begun to provide broader services through the creation of medical-legal partnerships that offer the entire range of civil law.”
- DIAL. “DIAL, Inc. is a Center for Independent Living, which is part of a statewide network of non-residential centers designed and operated to provide services to individuals with significant disabilities. DIAL, Inc. is organized and operated as a 501 © 3 non-profit agency. These services include: Information and Referral, Advocacy, Peer Support, Independent Living Skills Training, and Facilitating Community Transition. The agency has a 44 year history of serving consumers living with disabilities that reside in Passaic and Essex Counties. DIAL, Inc. promotes the full inclusion of all people living with disabilities into society and encourage our consumers and the community at large to seek involvement in this self-governing organization to the fullest extent.”
- Family Resource Network. “With more than 50 programs and services available for New Jersey residents living with epilepsy, autism, intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities, and chronic illness, The Family Resource Network (FRN) and its affiliates have been affecting lives of thousands of families across New Jersey for the past 49 years. [….] The Family Resource Network is a comprehensive family-focused umbrella of organizations designed to meet the growing need for community-based programs and services to individuals and families with a variety of disabilities and chronic conditions through our three affiliate organizations [Autism Family Services of New Jersey, Caregivers of New Jersey, and Epilepsy Services of New Jersey].”
- Holy Moba. “We aim to enhance the quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity, and helping individuals in reaching their full potential through learning and the power of work. We aspire to bring holistic empowerment to the family we serve. We focus on uplifting our individuals along with the communities they reside in by following individualized care plans to increase their independence.”
- Inroads to Opportunities. “Inroads to Opportunities provides vocational preparation, transition from school to work, job placement and mental health services to individuals with a variety of disabilities from ages 16 through retirement. [….] Inroads to Opportunities is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), an approved provider of the NJ Department of Labor, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Inroads is licensed by the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services, NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services to provide partial care and the NJ Department of Developmental Disabilities to provide Day Habilitation Services. Inroads is a licensed provider for the NJ Department of Agriculture for our adult lunch program Inroads is an approved Medicaid provider, an approved Employment Network under the Ticket to Work Social Security initiative and an approved Benefits Planning and Counseling Service through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.”
- National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey. “The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey (NFBNJ), an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, is an organization that believes in the full capacity of blind people, and has the power, influence, diversity and determination to help transform our dreams into reality. Members work together for a brighter tomorrow by raising expectations so that blind persons can live the life they want. [….] The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey is a 501c(3) nonprofit volunteer membership organization comprised of blind and interested sighted persons of all ages, their families and friends. Our committed local chapters, divisions, committees, programs, projects and well-trained leaders help newly blind people adjust to vision loss, and promote the full participation and integration of blind people in our communities. We bring our collective experiences together to effect change at the state and national level.”
- Raise: A SPAN Project. “In 2014, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN), a parent-led and family-centered non-profit parent training and information center (PTI), was funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to provide support to individuals with disabilities through the transition from secondary school and into competitive employment and independent living.”
- SPAN Parent Advocacy Network. “Empowering families as advocates and partners in improving education, health/mental health and human services outcomes for infants, toddlers, children, youth and young adults.”
- The Talking Book & Braille Center at the New Jersey State Library. “The New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center (TBBC) serves New Jersey residents of all ages (children, teens and adults) who cannot read standard print or who cannot hold a book or turn the pages of a book because of a physical impairment, a reading disability, or a visual impairment. TBBC provides no-cost, home-delivered services as a regional library of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), a division of the U.S. Library of Congress. In addition to serving individuals, we serve all places in NJ that serve eligible residents and we serve libraries. You must apply for service.”
- Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey. “We empower people with vision loss or blindness by providing, support, education, and training in assistive technology and independent living skills.”
NATIONAL RESOURCES: - ASAN (Autistic Self-Advocacy Network). “The Autistic Self Advocacy Network seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism. ASAN believes that the goal of autism advocacy should be a world in which autistic people enjoy equal access, rights, and opportunities. We work to empower autistic people across the world to take control of our own lives and the future of our common community, and seek to organize the autistic community to ensure our voices are heard in the national conversation about us. Nothing About Us, Without Us!”
- Child Mind Institute. “Millions of children – as many as 1 in 5 – struggle with mental health or learning challenges. Fully 70% of U.S. counties do not have a single child and adolescent psychiatrist. Due to stigma, misinformation, and a lack of access to care, the average time between onset of symptoms and any treatment at all is over 8 years. Our children deserve better. [….] That’s why the Child Mind Institute was created. [….] We’re dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders by giving them the help they need. We’ve become the leading independent nonprofit in children’s mental health by providing gold-standard evidence-based care, delivering educational resources to millions of families each year, training educators in underserved communities, and developing tomorrow’s breakthrough treatments. [….] Together, we truly can transform children’s lives.”
- College Autism Spectrum. “College Autism Spectrum (CAS) is an independent organization of professionals whose purpose is to assist students with autism spectrum disorders, and their families. We specialize in COLLEGE COUNSELING (helping students find the right college) and WORK/CAREER READINESS (skill building for interviews, jobs and work skills). [….] We help students with ASD explore and navigate college options before, during and through the college process. Additionally, we provide campuses and professionals with the tools and training to work effectively with students on the spectrum and to understand the challenges as well as the talents they bring.”
- DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology). “The DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) Center is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities through technology and education. It promotes awareness and accessibility—in both the classroom and the workplace—to maximize the potential of individuals with disabilities and make our communities more vibrant, diverse, and inclusive. [….] DO-IT is based at the University of Washington, Seattle, but efforts are global. Together, we can DO-IT!”This website also contains information about how to find STEM internships and connect with other individuals with disabilities in STEM.
- DREAM: Disability Rights, Education, Activism, and Mentoring. “DREAM is charged with the mission of advancing the interests of students with disabilities, in post-secondary institutions, and their allies across the United States. DREAM advocates for student rights, increased accessibility, social and policy change, and aims to provide support and mentorship to local campus disability groups and individual students. We hope to empower students with disabilities to work for local and national change, encourage the development of disability culture and peer support, and advance the study of disabilities within academia.”
- Entry Point!. “Entry Point!, a signature program of the AAAS Project on Science, Technology and Disability, is a national effort to discover and develop talent among undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities who demonstrated a talent and interest in pursuing a STEM career. The primary goal of the project is to increase the diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce at the professional level. Entry Point! recruits, screens, and refers qualified candidates to company and university research program partners for 10-week summer internships.”
- JED Foundation. “JED equips America’s teens and young adults with the skills and support they need to grow into healthy, thriving adults. [….] Mental health impacts all aspects of our lives — school, work, home life, relationships, and our overall well-being. Supporting and protecting mental health during the challenging transition from the teenage years to adulthood requires a comprehensive approach that addresses all the factors that can impact how we think, feel and perceive the world around us. [….] JED’s portfolio of programs is designed to target all of these areas, making it most likely we can change lives, save lives and help young people thrive.”JED’s Mental Health Resource Center’s page on taking care of your mental health provides a wealth of resources. First, identify the feelings you are experiencing (such as grief, loneliness, anger, anxiety, or apathy) as well as situations you are going through (such as bullying, abuse, friendship issues, financial stress, or family problems). The website will then provide articles based upon your selections.
- LD OnLine. “LD OnLine seeks to help children and adults reach their full potential by providing accurate information and advice about learning disabilities and ADHD. [….] LD OnLine features hundreds of helpful articles, expert interviews, videos, columns by noted experts, first-person essays, children’s writing and artwork, and a comprehensive resource guide. [….] LD OnLine also serves adolescents and adults with learning disabilities. Our site offers information and resources on the transitions from school to college and from school to the workplace, and on the issues faced by adults with learning disabilities.”This website has many helpful topics, such as College & College Prep (which includes articles about disability law, self-advocacy, and more) and Transition: School to Work (which includes articles about job accommodations, creating resumes, and more).
- Learning Disabilities Association of America. “LDA’s mission is to create opportunities for success for all individuals affected by learning disabilities through support, education, and advocacy.”
- National Center for Learning Disabilities. “The mission of NCLD is to improve the lives of the 1 in 5 children and adults nationwide with learning and attention issues—by empowering parents and young adults, transforming schools and advocating for equal rights and opportunities. We’re working to create a society in which every individual possesses the academic, social, and emotional skills needed to succeed in school, at work, and in life.”
The website contains an interactive “Guide To Transition” for young adults: “This go-at-your-own-pace guide is for you to learn about the education and civil rights laws that protect them in K-12, higher education, and workforce settings, how to be a strong self-advocate during transition planning, and various opportunities for additional support that may be available. If you are a high school student, college student, or new employee with a disability, this resource contains information that is helpful to you.” - The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). “The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) is a national network of over 200 local crisis centers, allowing the Lifeline to provide local resources with innovative best practices and quality care across the United States.”You can also text or chat rather than call. Resources on the website:
- SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). “The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.” The website provides information about crisis helplines as well as how to find treatment.
================================================================= Making the Most of Transition IEPs Understand the new law about Transition IEP conversations, and learn what transition should look like when students reach high school and beyond.
Things to Consider:Related Resources:General Special Education Resources:====================================================================== Little Falls Public Schools’ FRIDAY FOLDERS (12/12/25)
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