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Congressional leaders unveil short-term spending bill tied to disaster aid; MO farmers work to stop 'Farm Act' from becoming law; Increasing recycling access in rural CO communities; OH students fight for fair, livable on-campus wages.

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The government defends its drone responses, lawmakers debate anti-Islamophobia and transgender policies, a stopgap spending deal sparks tensions, and Trump threatens more legal actions against the media.

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Rural folks could soon be shut out of loans for natural disasters if Project 2025 has its way, Taos, New Mexico weighs options for its housing shortage, and the top states providing America's Christmas trees revealed.

"Public Charge" Proposal Already Affecting Nebraska Kids

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Thursday, December 6, 2018   

OMAHA, Neb. – With a Dec. 10 deadline for public comments just around the corner, immigrants' rights groups say they're hoping Nebraskans will make their voices heard on a proposal by the Trump administration.

The "public charge" rule change would make it harder for some people to get green cards if they receive specific public benefits, including nutrition benefits through SNAP, and Medicaid.

Mindy Rush Chipman, senior managing attorney with the Immigrant Legal Center in Omaha, says the rule could limit children's access to nutritious food as well as health, dental and mental health services.

"It's clear that parents' health and access to health care and proper support services impacts not just the parents, but it impacts the children as well," she states.

Chipman says the proposal has already created a chilling effect, as some Nebraska families with U.S. citizen children have stopped applying for benefits.

She says many services are still available without risk, including WIC – Women, Infants and Children – school meals and food pantries.

Proponents maintain the new rule would promote immigrant self-sufficiency and save taxpayers money.

Comments can be submitted online at Regulations.gov.

Chipman points to a recent study by the Cato Institute that shows native-born Americans are more likely to tap government programs than immigrants.

She says helping struggling families is an important investment.

"When low-income families are provided access to preventative health care, access to safe and healthy housing and access to nutrition, that in fact saves taxpayers money in the long run," Chipman states.

Chipman says before opting out of benefits, people can get free legal advice on which services might impact their immigration status through the Nebraska Immigration Legal Assistance Hotline.

Help is available in multiple languages, and all calls are toll free and confidential. That number is 855-307-6730.


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