Categorical Eligibility for SNAP Benefits

A rule change from the Department of Agriculture could have a devastating impact on Americans: over 3 million people will be removed from SNAP benefits (food stamps), over 500,000 children will not automatically receive free school meals and tens of thousands of families will experience food insecurity. CLA strongly opposes this rule to modify SNAP eligibility for these reasons, and we submitted a public comment through the Federal Register opposing it. Read CLA’s full comment here.

Expansion of Expedited Removal Proceedings

The Department of Homeland Security put forth a Notice of a rule change over the summer that will expand the jurisdiction of expedited removal proceedings, as well as complicate the burden of proof necessary for a person to evade detention and/or removal (deportation) by law enforcement. CLA opposes this rule change, as it gives ICE a wider berth and more discretion in targeting and detaining immigrants all across the country. CLA submitted a public comment online through the Federal Register opposing this Notice of rule change. Read CLA’s full comment here.

Housing and Community Development Act of 1980: Verification of Eligible Status

In early May, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) proposed a policy change that would intensify the verification process in determining eligible status for public housing benefits. In addition to being a clear attack on undocumented people, this will have a drastically negative impact on mixed immigration status families. CLA submitted a public comment online through the Federal Register opposing this proposed change. Read CLA's full comment here.

New York State’s Self-Sufficiency Standard

CLA believes that New York State’s Self-Sufficiency Standard, which is a tool used to determine eligibility for various public benefits, should be updated to reflect the increasing cost of the standard of living in New York State, as well as the diversifying population that resides here. CLA sent a Memorandum of Support to New York State Senate’s Social Services Committee regarding Bill 5552, which would update the Standard. Read CLA’s entire memo of support here.