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Los Angeles County unanimously opposes proposed federal "public charge" rule
Summary
The Board passed a motion directing county offices to oppose a DHS proposal to rescind the 2022 public‑charge rule, to submit comments and to prepare communications for immigrant residents and staff; officials warned the change could chill use of health and nutrition programs and complicate outreach.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Dec. 2 to oppose the Department of Homeland Security’s proposed rulemaking to rescind the 2022 public charge guidance and asked county departments to prepare comments and communication plans.
“Rescinding the 2022 rule would open the door to consideration of all of that,” Daniel Sharp, chief of the Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs, told the board, describing how the proposed change would allow immigration officers broader discretion to consider past use of benefits — including state and locally funded programs — when evaluating immigration status. Sharp said that the new notice “replaces it with virtually nothing, opening the door to consideration of...use of state and locally funded programs” (SEG 1767–1784).
Supervisor Hilda Solis, who brought the motion, said the proposal would create “widespread confusion, fear among our immigrant communities” (SEG 1672–1692) and urged the board to send a five‑signature letter to the Los Angeles congressional delegation, file county comments during the public comment period (open through Dec. 19), develop internal and external communications for staff and residents, and instruct County Counsel to monitor and pursue legal action as appropriate. County Counsel said staff are monitoring potential litigation and would coordinate with other jurisdictions.
Department of Public Social Services representatives and immigrant‑affairs staff warned that the rule’s ambiguity limits the county’s ability to issue simple, broad messaging about who is exempt and who needs individualized legal advice. DPSS noted the county will coordinate across departments to prepare targeted guidance once the federal agency issues implementing guidance.
Members of the public — including community health centers and immigrant-services organizations — urged the board to oppose the proposed changes, citing evidence from prior rule changes that many immigrant families declined health or nutrition benefits because of immigration‑related fears. The board’s motion passed on a roll call vote, 5–0.
The board directed staff to report back with an assessment of impacts and a communication plan.
