MEDIA ADVISORY
September 29, 2026
CONTACT
Ed Walz, ed@pifcoalition.org, 202-374-8872
Ellen Fleming, EFleming@melwoodglobal.com, (617) 640-2101
Annah Chaya, achaya@melwoodglobal.com, (484) 547-7328
MASSACHUSETTS CONSEQUENCES OF PUBLIC CHARGE POLICY CHANGE VIRTUAL BRIEFING
WHAT: Leading Massachusetts and national advocates explain how the “public charge” policy change threatens the health and well-being of immigrant families. Experts will take your questions about the policy, its impact, and efforts to reverse this radical change.
WHO: Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition
Patricia Sobalvarro, Executive Director, Agencia ALPHA
Maddie Geschu, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition
WHEN: Tuesday, September 29, 12:00-1:00 pm EDT
WHERE: Zoom. Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/
WHY: The Trump administration’s new “public charge” regulation took effect September 18. The new policy puts green card applications at risk for applicants who use a wide range of health and social services. Fallout from this change is estimated to impact 950,000 people as immigrant households disenroll from, or forgo, public benefits altogether. A less radical Trump public charge policy in effect for just one year deterred millions from seeking care and aid. A 2021 survey of people in immigrant families found that about half (46%) of families that needed care or help during the pandemic did not seek it because of immigration concerns.
Ellen Fleming (she/her)
Director of Media and Strategic Communications
Melwood Global | 1 Beacon Street | 15th Floor, Boston, MA 02108
+1 617.640.2101 (mobile) @EllenFlem and @Melwoodglobal
Boston Welcoming Week
Boston celebrates ‘welcoming’ designation as a place for immigrants to feel at home
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