One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
LA officials fear Trump immigration proposal could prompt local families to drop public benefits
A Trump administration proposal could make it easier for officials to deny applications for permanent U.S. residency if immigrants receive public benefits such as health coverage, food stamps and housing help.
(
David McNew/Getty Images
)
Listen
1:02
LA officials fear Trump immigration proposal could prompt local families to drop public benefits
A new Trump administration proposal seeks to greatly expand the list of public programs that, if immigrants participate in them, could allow officials to deny their application for permanent legal residency.
Local officials say they're worried immigrant families could drop out of public medical, food or housing programs and endure untreated illness or hunger, even if the rule does not affect them.
According to L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti's office, more than 900,000 immigrants in Los Angeles County receive Medicaid. More than 100,000 benefit from Cal-Fresh, the state’s version of food stamps.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
