Watch the story of Elsa Valle, a New Jersey activist who is working to protect the rights of immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) across the U.S. TPS grants protection from deportation to people from certain countries that are afflicted by natural disasters, war, or other dangerous conditions. But since taking office, President Trump has ended TPS for more than 300,000 immigrants, who are now calling on Congress to protect this vital program. 

At the end of February, the Trump administration began enforcing the “public charge” rule, after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling lifted an injunction preventing its implementation. That same week, the first death from COVID-19 – a form of coronavirus – was reported in the United States.

The public charge rule gives immigration officials the ability to deny the applications of people applying for Lawful Permanent Residence (LPR) who have or are likely to use certain public benefits – including Medicaid.

Jonnelle Rodriguez is a Licensed Social Worker at the American Friends Service Committee in New Jersey who provides case management services to immigrants in the community.