Tag: Public Charge

In Pursuit of Justice: Attorney General Bonta Files Felony Charges Against the Ex-LAPD Officer Who Shot and Killed Kenneth French and Critically Wounded His Parents

August 16, 2021

by Teresa Anderson, Director, Public Policy

First and foremost, I want the French family to know that we continue to hold them in our hearts and admire them greatly for their strength and persistence in pursuing justice for their son and family. In June 2019 Kenneth, a young man with disabilities, and his parents were shopping at Costco in Corona, California (Riverside County) when Kenneth was shot and killed by, then off-duty LAPD officer, Salvador Sanchez. Russell and Paola French, Kenneth’s parents, were also shot and critically wounded during the shooting. This senseless tragedy was made even worse when Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin announced that no charges would be brought against the off-duty officer based on a grand jury’s failure to indict. Hestrin issued a statement saying, in part, that “charges against the officer were not warranted.”  The disability community was outraged by such blatant disregard for the life of a young man with disabilities and complete lack of accountability for the officer who killed him. Kenneth was an unarmed young man with a disability who was shot in the back, and his parents were shot while trying to protect him…charges were more than warranted, they were expected.

Failure to hold this officer accountable sent shock waves through the community, moving advocates, families, loved ones, to organize protests, meet with elected officials, and demand a meeting with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office to find out how the system could have failed this family and the community. Thank you to EVERYONE who wrote letters, signed onto letters, met with elected officials, went to the protest sites (Riverside County and the LAPD), and otherwise expressed your outrage at such a failure of justice. It is because of the strength and persistence of the French family, their loved ones, and the power of advocacy within the disability community that this shooting became so “high profile” that it led the Attorney General to step in and demand justice and accountability.

Historically, officer-involved shootings that result in the death of an unarmed person were investigated by local law enforcement and the District Attorneys. However, Assembly Bill 1506, which became effective July 1, 2021, created a mandate for an independent, statewide prosecutor to investigate and review officer-involved shootings of unarmed civilians, including assessing for potential criminal liability. The intent behind the law is to help build and maintain trust between law enforcement and the community. This is critically important to the disability community because research shows that between 30%-50% of officer-involved shootings involve a person with a disability.  The Attorney General’s (AG) decision to charge Mr. Sanchez came about after an independent review of proceedings at the local level and the belief that a crime was in fact committed. The AG’s statement can be read here: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-announces-arrest-and-filing-felony-charges-against-duty

We know building trust between the law enforcement community and the disability community will take time and be an on-going process, but we believe the AG stepping in to ensure accountability and justice for the French family is a step in the right direction.

ACTUALIZACIÓN: Recursos para la norma de carga pública

Las regulaciones de carga pública entraron en vigencia en los Estados Unidos y en las oficinas consulares en el extranjero la semana pasada. Esta norma está destinada a reducir el número de inmigrantes que usan programas de beneficios sociales. Esto significa que las personas con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo (I/DD, por sus siglas en inglés) mayores de 21 años, que posiblemente dependerían de servicios financiados por Medicaid, como servicios de centros regionales, SSI/SSP, asistencia de vivienda o Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP, por sus siglas en inglés), tendrán un obstáculo adicional para recibir una tarjeta verde o visa. Como un movimiento de personas con
I/DD y sus familias comprometidas a eliminar los obstáculos para nuestra comunidad, The Arc se solidariza con todos nuestros hermanos y hermanas en todo el mundo y se ha opuesto activamente a esta nueva regla.

Como escribimos en una publicación de blog anterior, “esta norma… tiene una amenaza adicional e igualmente preocupante: las familias inmigrantes legales en California reducen el uso de estos servicios y apoyos críticos porque les preocupa que la norma se aplique a ellos. En este punto debemos luchar contra este “efecto escalofriante” y utilizar nuestros esfuerzos de defensa para brindar información y verdad a nuestros amigos, familiares, vecinos y clientes que puedan percibir esta amenaza “.

En esta historia pasada, actualizamos la primera con más recursos. Desde su publicación, se han puesto a disposición aún más recursos.

Desde el Centro Nacional de Leyes de Inmigración, este informe analiza el daño causado por la norma: documentar a través de las cuentas de proveedores de servicios Daño causado por la norma de carga pública del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional.
Desde la sección Protección de familias inmigrantes, esta guía didáctica contiene información para educar a su comunidad, socios y para estar preparados a medida que la regla surta efecto.

UPDATE: Resources for the Public Charge Rule

The public charge regulations went into effect in the U.S. and at consular offices abroad last week. This rule is meant to reduce the number of immigrants who use social benefit programs. This means that individuals with I/DD, 21+ years old, who would possibly rely on Medicaid funded services – such as regional center services, SSI/SSP, housing assistance, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – will have an added roadblock to receive a green card or visa. As a movement of people with I/DD and their families committed to eliminating roadblocks for our community, The Arc finds solidarity with all of our brothers and sisters worldwide and has actively opposed this new rule.

As we wrote in a previous blog post, “this rule… has an additional and equally concerning threat: legal immigrant families in California reducing their use of these critical supports and services because they are concerned the rule applies to them. At this point we must fight this “chilling effect” and use our advocacy efforts to bring information and truth to our friends, families, neighbors, and clients that could perceive this threat.”

In this past story we updated the first with more resources. Since its publication even more resources have become available.

From the National Immigration Law Center this report looks at the harm caused by the rule – Documenting through Service Provider Accounts Harm Caused by the Department of Homeland Security’s Public Charge Rule.
From Protecting Immigrant Families, this teach in toolkit contains information to educate your community, partners, and to be prepared as the rule takes effect.

ACTUALIZACIÓN: Nuevos recursos para la norma de carga pública

Como informamos recientemente, la regla de “carga pública” ahora está vigente y hará que sea extremadamente difícil para las personas con discapacidad inmigrar a nuestro país.

Afortunadamente, el grupo de defensa Protecting Immigrant Families ha desarrollado una serie de recursos para que los individuos, los líderes de la comunidad y los defensores utilicen mientras navegan esta nueva regla. Los recursos se han actualizado recientemente y ahora están disponibles en español e inglés. Aquí están:

UPDATE: New Public Charge Rule Resources

As we recently reported the “public charge” rule is now in effect and will make it extremely difficult for people with disabilities to immigrate to our country.

Fortunately, the advocacy group Protecting Immigrant Families has developed a number of resources for individuals, community leaders, and advocates to use as they navigate this new rule. The resources have been recently updated, and are now available in Spanish and English. Here they are:

NORMA DE CARGA PÚBLICA: UN TIEMPO PARA LA VERDAD, LA COMPASIÓN Y LA DIFUSIÓN

No es un secreto que las personas con discapacidades intelectuales o del desarrollo (I/DD, por sus siglas en inglés) y sus familias a menudo enfrentan desafíos que luchan por la seguridad, la salud, la inclusión y las oportunidades. Ahora, como resultado de un fallo de la Corte Suprema, existe un nuevo desafío para algunos y una amenaza percibida para muchos.

El pasado lunes 27 de enero, la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos votó para permitir que la administración Trump haga cumplir la norma de “carga pública”, una regulación que tiene como objetivo reducir la cantidad de inmigrantes que usan programas de beneficios sociales. Esto significa que las personas con I/DD, mayores de 21 años, que posiblemente dependerían de servicios financiados por Medicaid, como servicios de centros regionales, SSI/SSP, asistencia de vivienda o el Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP, por sus siglas en inglés), tendrían un obstáculo adicional para recibir una green card o una visa. Como un movimiento de personas con I/DD y sus familias comprometidas a eliminar los obstáculos para nuestra comunidad, The Arc se solidariza con todos nuestros hermanos y hermanas en todo el mundo y se ha opuesto activamente a esta nueva regla.

Sin embargo, esta regla tiene una amenaza adicional e igualmente preocupante: las familias inmigrantes legales en California reducen el uso de estos servicios y apoyos críticos porque les preocupa que la norma se aplique a ellos. En este punto, debemos luchar contra este “efecto escalofriante” y utilizar nuestros esfuerzos de defensa para brindar información y verdad a nuestros amigos, familias, vecinos y clientes que puedan percibir esta amenaza.

PASO 1: ESTAR INFORMADO

Los programas de beneficios que cubre incluyen el Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (EBT o Food Stamps), Asistencia de Vivienda Pública Federal y Sección 8, asistencia en efectivo (como SSI, TANF y Asistencia General) y programas financiados por Medicaid como Medicaid-Cal y servicios de centros regionales. Sin embargo, el uso de Medicaid no se analiza si es para:

  • Servicios de emergencia;
  • Niños menores de 21 años;
  • Mujeres embarazadas; y
  • Nuevas madres

Encuentre más información en: https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/know-your-rights/

PASO 2: ALCANCE Y VERDAD

Muchas familias pueden tener miedo en este momento. Envíe este gráfico a sus comunidades para que puedan determinar rápidamente si la carga pública aplica para ellas. También puede compartir esta publicación de blog en inglés o español.

Otra herramienta de detección que se puede usar es:

Más recursos están abajo.

PASO 3: ABOGAR

Si usted o alguien que conoce necesita defensa adicional de inmigración relacionada con la carga pública u otros servicios de inmigración, busque ayuda en https://www.cdss.ca.gov/benefits-services/more-services/immigration-services/immigration-services-contractors .

Recursos adicionales:

Carga público: ¿Esto se aplica a mí? (Cómo le afectará la carga pública en función de su estado migratorio y lo que debe hacer – PIF)

¡CONOZCA SUS DERECHOS! Mensajes de carga pública para miembros de la comunidad (Mensajes principales para compartir con las comunidades de inmigrantes sobre los cambios recientes a la carga pública – PIF)

¿Debo mantener a mis hijos inscritos en programas de salud y nutrición? (Use esta guía para ayudar a responder preguntas frecuentes sobre cómo tomar buenas decisiones para su familia y su salud – PIF)

Usted tiene derechos: proteja su salud (una descripción general para las familias de estado mixto cuando se trata de ir al médico o inscribirse en un seguro de salud – PIF)

10 datos sobre el acceso al seguro de salud para inmigrantes y sus familias (el período de inscripción abierta del mercado ACA presenta una gran oportunidad para asegurarse de que los inmigrantes y sus familias entiendan lo que las amenazas recientes significan para ellos cuando buscan cobertura de salud. – CLASP, NILC y NHeLP)

PUBLIC CHARGE RULE – A TIME FOR TRUTH, COMPASSION & OUTREACH

It’s not a secret that people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families often encounter challenges fighting for safety, health, inclusion, and opportunity. Now, as a result of a Supreme Court ruling, there exists a new challenge for some and a perceived threat for many.

Last Monday, January 27, the U.S. Supreme Court voted to let the Trump administration enforce the “public charge” rule, a regulation that is meant to reduce the number of immigrants who use social benefit programs. This means that individuals with I/DD, 21+ years old, who would possibly rely on Medicaid funded services – such as regional center services, SSI/SSP, housing assistance, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – would have an added roadblock to receive a green card or visa. As a movement of people with I/DD and their families committed to eliminating roadblocks for our community, The Arc finds solidarity with all of our brothers and sisters worldwide and has actively opposed this new rule.

This rule, however, has an additional and equally concerning threat: legal immigrant families in California reducing their use of these critical supports and services because they are concerned the rule applies to them. At this point we must fight this “chilling effect” and use our advocacy efforts to bring information and truth to our friends, families, neighbors, and clients that could perceive this threat.

STEP 1: BE INFORMED

The benefit programs this covers include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (EBTor Food Stamps), Federal Public Housing and Section 8 assistance, cash assistance (like SSI, TANF, and General Assistance), and Medicaid funded programs like Medicaid-Cal and regional center services. However, Medicaid use is not being looked at if it is for:

  • Emergency services;
  • Children under 21 years;
  • Pregnant women; and
  • New mothers.

Find more information at: https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/know-your-rights/

STEP 2: OUTREACH AND TRUTH

Many families may be in fear right now. Send this chart to your communities so they can quickly determine if they public charge applies to them. You can also share this blog post or the Spanish translation.

Another screening tool that can be used is:

More resources are below.

STEP 3: ADVOCATE

If you or somebody you know needs additional immigration advocacy related to public charge or other immigration services find help at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/benefits-services/more-services/immigration-services/immigration-services-contractors.

Additional Resources:

Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks New Public Charge Rule

Last Friday a federal judge in Manhattan became the first in the country to block enforcement of the recently instated “public charge” immigration rule. The rule seeks to significantly restrict people who might need federal benefits such as Medicare or SNAP from obtaining legal immigration status.

The public charge rule would negatively impact people with disabilities and their families seeking to enter our country and has been denounced by The Arc. Additionally, The Arc partnered with 17 other disability rights organizations in filing an amicus brief against the public charge rule. We are hopeful that the judge’s block will hold, and will continue to follow the story as it develops.

To learn more about the block read this report from Reuters, or go in depth and read the 24 page ruling.

The Public Charge Regulation and Public Education and Programs Provided by Schools

Tony Thurmond, California’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction issued a statement last week clarifying the impact that the federal Public Charge regulation will have on student access to K-12 public school education, and programs such as school lunch and summer food service. Essential takeaways include:

Public education is not a public benefit covered by the rule – Attending school will not negatively effect a child or family member’s immigration status
The final rule generally does not apply to programs delivered by kindergarten through grade twelve (K–12) schools, such as school nutrition

The full statement can be found here.

Developments and Resources for the Public Charge Rule

September 9, 2019 – The Arc and seventeen other national disability advocacy groups filed an amicus brief in support of litigation to stop the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from implementing its new “public charge” rule. The advocacy groups – representing tens of thousands of people with disabilities and their families across the country – claim that the new public charge rule will prevent people with disabilities from entering this country or becoming legal residents in violation of federal disability law.

Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc said, “This new policy is devastating to many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. It discourages immigrant families from utilizing critical public services out of fear of harming their immigration status. The rule will increase poverty, hurt public health, and worsen housing instability. It’s the latest callous tactic in restricting access to necessary services and supports. The Arc continues our work to ensure that non-citizens with any type of disability have a fair opportunity to enter and reside legally in the U.S., without unnecessary or discriminatory restrictions based on their disability.”

Read more about the brief here: https://thearc.org/disability-advocacy-groups-file-amicus-brief-opposing-the-administrations-public-charge-rule-as-illegal-disability-discrimination/?fbclid=IwAR3R7sZtgmJLY-oBfYaOcNvSHdy1g0immdP_x9ZMTvJauu-ORj2Hpf40Bxg

September 11, 2019 – The California Health and Human Services Agency responds to the rule by issuing an up to date public charge guide available here. This guide is a vital resource for those who think this rule may affect them and anyone working with people with disabilities and their families in the state of California.

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