DHS Public Charge Rule Puts Fear Over Food Access, Maryland Hunger Solutions Urges Congress to Pass Lift the Bar Act

Media Contact:

Colleen Barton
cbarton@frac.org
703-203-7843 

Statement attributable to LaMonika Jones, director, Maryland Hunger Solutions

GAITHERSBURG, July 17, 2026 — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released its public charge rule, which will intensify fear and uncertainty among immigrant and mixed-status families in Maryland who are already struggling to put food on the table. The rule ignored comments submitted to DHS by Maryland Hunger Solutions and 724 other organizations that warned of the harm it would cause in deterring immigrants from accessing critical assistance for which they are eligible. As a result, participation in more public benefit programs may now be weighed against certain immigrants applying for lawful permanent residence. 

For more than two decades, U.S. immigration officials have explicitly reassured that participation in federal nutrition programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) would not affect the ability to become lawful permanent residents. Yet the rule now reverses longstanding existing policy and practice meant to interpret the public charge law.  

This rule reverses years of progress toward ensuring that eligible Maryland families can access essential nutrition, health care, and economic support without fear of immigration consequences. By broadening the scope of benefits considered under the public charge test, the policy is expected to create widespread confusion and fear, discouraging many immigrant families — including those with U.S. citizen children — from accessing programs. 

At a time when rising food prices and housing costs continue to strain household budgets, this policy will deepen food insecurity, worsen health outcomes, and increase financial hardship for families across Maryland. It creates yet another unnecessary barrier to programs specifically designed to help families with children, older adults, working families, and people with disabilities meet their basic needs. We have seen this chilling effect before, and we know it leads to more food insecurity, which negatively impacts children’s educational outcomes and increases economic hardship for families and local communities.  

By discouraging participation in essential nutrition and health programs, the rule will increase hunger, worsen health disparities, and undermine the economic stability of communities throughout the state. Eligible Maryland residents should never have to choose between feeding their children and protecting their immigration status.  

Maryland Hunger Solutions urges Congress to take action by passing the LIFT the BAR Act, which would restore access to SNAP and other public programs by eliminating the five-year bar and other restrictions that deny critical care and assistance to lawfully present immigrants. We must continue to put food over fear to ensure that every eligible child and family in Maryland can access the nutrition programs they need to thrive and support the health and well-being of families across the state. 

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Maryland Hunger Solutions, an initiative of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), works to end hunger and improve the nutrition, health, and well-being of Maryland residents.