FAMILIES WHO RECEIVE PUBLIC
SERVICES.
MARISSA: THIS DOES AFFECT LEGAL
IMMIGRANTS APPLYING FOR A GREEN
CARD BUT NOT THOSE APPLYING FOR
CITIZENSHIP OR THOSE WHO HAVE A
VISA.
STARTING TODAY, CHANGES ARE
HAPPENING TO THE DECADES LONG
PUBLIC CHARGE RULE WHICH COULD
HURT THOUSANDS OF NEW MEXICO
FAMILIES.
>> IN NEW MEXICO, A LARGE
PROPORTION OF IMMIGRANT FAMILIES
IT'S THOSE FAMILIES THAT ARE
MOST CONCERNED ABOUT THIS RULE
CHANGE.
MARISSA: THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION'S CHANGES TO THE
RULE WOULD ALLOW THEM TO DENY
GREEN CARDS TO IMMIGRANTS WHO
WOULD NEED MEDICAID OR FOOD
STAMPS.
>> THE CHANGES TO THE RULE MAKE
IT HARDER FOR NEW MEXICO
FAMILIES TO FEED THEIR CHILDREN
AND GO TO THE DOCTOR.
MARISSA: I REACHED OUT TO THE
NEW MEXICO HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT TO ASK THEM ABOUT
RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES WHO MIGHT
BE IMPACTED BUT THEY DIDN'T PUT
ANYTHING ON THEIR WEBSITE UNTIL
WE STARTED ASKING QUESTIONS.
>> TODAY WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE
HAVE ACCURATE INFORMATION OUT
THERE FOR FOLKS.
MARISSA: THE DEPARTMENT SAYS
THEY'VE BEEN PREPARING FOR THE
RULE TO TAKE EFFECT SINCE
AUGUST.
>> WE HAVE TWO INFORMATIONAL
FLIERS IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH.
THERE IS INFORMATION TO FOLKS.
MARISSA: WHILE THERE ARE
EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE,
ADVOCATE SAY THOSE WHO THINK
THEY MIGHT BE IMPACTED SHOULD
SEEK ADVICE.
>> PLEASE DON'T CANCEL YOUR U.S.
MEDICAID OR SNAP CASE.
MARISSA: THIS POLICY CHANGE DOES
NOT APPLY TO REFUGEES, SPECIAL
IMMIGRANT JUVENILES OR WOMEN
PREGNANT ON MEDICAID.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT
KOAT.COM.
DOUG: THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
RESPONDED SAYING THE RULING
BEGINS TO ALLOW THE
REESTABLISHMEN
