Know Your Rights

Immigration law is dependent on who is our country's president. The information on our site is based off of the Biden administration's rules and could change in November of 2024. However, as of now, applying/using the programs listed on this site will not negatively impact your immigration status.

Why would using/applying for these services impact my immigration status?

The United States government created something called "public charge" tests to identify people who are "dependent on the Government," which could impact one's eligibility for a green card or certain visa types. Many noncitizens do NOT face a public charge test in their immigration applications. 

Under current law, the following groups generally are EXEMPT and NOT impacted negatively for using these services:

• People applying for or granted:

  • Asylum

• • Refugee status

  • U or T visas

  • Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

  • VAWA self-petitions

  • U.S. citizenship

• People applying for or renewing DACA or Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

Also, many government programs do not qualify for impacting your status negatively: if you use the programs listed on this page (WIC, Medicaid, CHP), it will not impact your legal status.

Read it from the Source.

What if I go to the emergency room or the doctor and they ask about my immigration status?

We understand your concern. However, you do not have to talk about your immigration status in order to receive healthcare. It is your right: Doctors, hospitals, clinics, health centers, or other medical providers may ask for this information to find out if you may be eligible for health insurance, like Medicaid, and how you are going to pay for services. But they should not deny medical treatment based solely on your immigration status. The following statement comes from the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs: