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Racism is making us sick. How can equity in medicine help us heal? A community conversation with Sahan Journal.
Biden administration announces end to Trump-era rule that rejected certain immigration applications with blank spaces
Biden administration moves to safeguard DACA program for “Dreamers” as court ruling looms
Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 Variants While Traveling
The COVID-19 Vaccination and Ramadan
UPDATED Talaalka COVID-19_Af Soomaali
Minnesotan Imams say you can get your COVID-19 vaccine while you are fasting. It does not have any nutritional value, therefore it will not invalidate or break the fasting.
- The COVID-19 vaccines do not contain pork products, gelatin, animal products, or the live COVID-19 virus.
- When you get your COVID-19 vaccine, you may experience side effects such as pain where you got the shot, feeling achy or tired, or having a headache. Some people may have chills or a fever. It is also okay if you do not have side effects! Each person will have a different reaction to the vaccine and that is okay.
- If you experience side effects from the vaccines, you are allowed to break fast to take care of yourself. Any sick person is exempt from fasting and breaking fasting for a medical reason is permissible. You can break fasting to take care of your health.
- In Minnesota, many of our Imams are getting vaccinated and support vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and you are encouraged to take it.
- Saving a life is the most important thing, and COVID-19 vaccines will save lives. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
Click here for this information in printable PDF format.
Click here for this information in a flyer format.
Click here for this information in Somali in flyer format (also embedded above).
Officials unveil convention center shelter for unaccompanied migrant girls
Minnesota Chamber Touts Economic Importance of State’s Immigrants
Black Immigrants Matter
Fact Sheet: Public Charge (Current as of March 18, 2021)
(Current as of March 18, 2021)
On March 9, 2021, the Biden administration announced that it would not defend the Trump administration’s “public charge” rule change. Following this announcement, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) would no longer defend the 2019 public charge final rule.
What is public charge?
Public charge is a test for immigrants coming to the United States and for some immigrants in the United States who are applying for a green card for the first time. It is a test to see if they will need public benefits in the future.
“Public charge” dates back at least to the Immigration Act of 1882. In 1996, the term was defined as someone who is “primarily dependent” on government assistance, meaning it supplies more than half their income.
What do the March 9, 2021 announcements mean for public charge?
As of March 9, 2021, the 1999 public charge rule (the policy in place before the 2019 public charge rule change) is now again in effect. The 2019 expansions of the “public charge” rule are no longer in effect.
Form I-944, Declaration of Self Sufficiency, is no longer required and should not be submitted when filing Form I-485 (for green card).
(For a detailed list of benefits, please refer to the table below.)
What is the current public charge test?
The “public charge” test is applied to individuals entering the United States by obtaining a visa at a U.S. consular office abroad; when someone inside the United States applies to adjust status to become a lawful permanent resident (green card holder); or when a green card holder leaves the United States for more than 180 consecutive days (6 months) and re-enters.
The petitioner (the person applying for their family member to immigrate to the United States) is required to file an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), a legally enforceable contract, to show that their family member will not depend on government benefits for their future financial support. The Affidavit of Support is in place until the immigrating family member becomes a United States citizen or is credited with 40 quarters of work (usually 10 years).
Who is impacted by the public charge test?
The public charge test is given to individuals:
- Entering the United States by obtaining a visa at a United States Embassy or Consulate abroad;
- When someone inside the United States applies to adjust status to become a lawful permanent resident (green card holder); or
- When a green card holder leaves the United States for more than 180 consecutive days (6 months) and re-enters.
Who is not impacted by the public charge test?
The public charge test does not apply to:
- S. citizens,
- Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) applying for citizenship;
- Refugees and asylees adjusting status;
- VAWA self-petitioners,
- U and T visa applicants,
- Special immigrant juveniles, and
- Certain other groups of non-citizens.
Though some immigrants fall under the exempt category, they may not pass the public charge test when they apply for relatives to reunite with them in the future. Please consult an immigration attorney to determine if you may be impacted.
Get Help: The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) provides free immigration legal services to low-income immigrants in a variety of immigration matters. For more information about how we can assist you, please visit our website at www.ilcm.org or call us at (651) 641-1011.
| Benefits included in Public Charge test | Benefits excluded |
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The following benefits are not included and will not be counted:
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