YOU HAVE RIGHTS

Health and safety are basic human rights. Undocumented Californians also have the legal right to use public services to protect all health and safety.

For decades, community health centers (CHCs) have been the safety net providers for underserved and low income communities, while also serving as active advocates for their patients’ healthcare rights. This is especially true now that our immigrant patients and communities are impacted by the chilling effect, meaning many have expressed fears in accessing daily activities for fear of deportation for themselves or a family member. In response, health centers have been looking for resources and technical assistance to help them create a safer environment for their immigrant patients and staff.

We invite you to Join our National Health Center Immigration Workgroup (NHCIW) to receive updates on policy changes impacting immigrant communities and share resources with out of state PCAs and health centers. 

For questions, please contact Liz Oseguera, Assistant Director of Policy, at loseguera@cpca.org or (916) 440-8170.

You may access resources and technical assistance, including sample policies and procedures, FAQs, and recorded webinars by visiting the sections below.

IMPORTANT UPDATES 

• DACA: On September 7, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a final rule that, with limited changes, continues the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy that was announced in 2012. The rule generally adopts the existing DACA policy, including the current threshold criteria for qualifying for DACA stating that applicants must have arrived in the US on June 15, 2007 or before. The DACA rule also allows for the existing process for DACA applicants to request work authorization when applying for DACA. The rule will take effect on October 31, 2022. Until then, USCIS will continue processing DACA renewal applications according to the terms of the 2012 DACA policy. However, an injunction from the U.S. The District Court for the Southern District of Texas continues to block USCIS from processing any new applications for DACA. 

• Public Charge: On September 9, 2022, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the final public charge rule, which is set to go into effect on December 23, 2022. The new rule ensures that immigrants and their families have access to vital services offered by the social safety net, including healthcare, food, and housing. The final regulation largely restores and improves upon the 1999 Guidance, which governed the public charge policy for 20 years prior to the Trump administration. You can view CPCA's CEO statement on the new Public Charge regulation in English/Spanish .