Chicago

Sen. Dick Durbin Discusses New Green Card Rule with Chicago Latino Community Leaders

The new “public charge” rule could link a person’s immigration status to their income

Members of Chicago's Latino community met with Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin on Monday to express their concerns about the Trump administration’s new green card policy.

The new “public charge” rule could link a person’s immigration status to their income and certain use of public programs.

"This country is a nation of immigrants," said Raul Raymundo with the Resurrection Project. "I am an immigrant, and I have been contributing to this country since the day I came here."

The massive ICE raids at Poultry processing plants in Mississippi also made an impact on Chicago’s Latino community.

"Our families are resilient as possible, but they are fearful," said Karina Ayala-Bermejo, President and CEO of the non-profit Instituto del Progreso Latino. 

Meanwhile, a study released Monday by the Pew Research Center revealed Americans thoughts on immigration.

The study showed Americans are dissatisfied with the handling of immigrants at the border. Of the people surveyed, 65% said the federal government is doing a 'very bad job,' while 38% think it's doing a 'somewhat bad job,' and only 33% said the federal government is doing a 'good job.'

Durbin said Monday that he wanted to tell the Trump administration that it's going after the wrong people.

"You [the administration] are really harassing those who are an important part of our future," he said.

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