The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion Tuesday opposing a Department of Homeland Security proposal to rescind the 2022 public charge rule and broaden considerations of immigrants' use of public benefits.

Supervisor Hilda Solis, who brought the item, told the board the change would recreate confusion and fear among immigrant communities and lead families to avoid health care and food benefits. She directed the county to send a five-signature letter to the county’s congressional delegation, submit comments during the federal comment period, develop internal and external communications for residents and county staff, and instruct county counsel to monitor or join legal challenges.

Daniel Sharp of the county Office of Immigrant Affairs and Department of Public Social Services staff explained the proposed rule differs from earlier versions by removing the specific clarifications in the 2022 rule and leaving open consideration of state and locally funded benefits and past household use. "This rule rescinds the current public charge rule and replaces it with virtually nothing," Sharp said, warning that could expand discretion and chill enrollment.

Supervisors raised public-health and constitutional concerns and called for county leadership to coordinate with other local jurisdictions and national associations. Speakers from community health centers and immigrant-serving organizations urged passage, citing research that earlier public charge proposals reduced enrollment in Medicaid and nutrition programs and harmed children's health.

The motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote. The board also asked departments to return with a communications plan and an assessment of local impacts.