Is there any update on the effect of the pending immigrant policies nationwide and its effect on WIC?
On October 6, 1997, the state WIC office received guidance from the Western Region WIC Office that the National WIC Headquarters had been apprised by the Immigration and Naturalization Service office that participation in WIC does not give rise to a Public Charge determination. Not all publicly funded benefits will be considered by the INS or the State Department in deciding whether someone is or is likely to become a public charge. Public Charge means an alien who has become (for deportation purposes) or is likely to become (for admission or adjustment of status purposes) “primarily dependent on the government for subsistence, as demonstrated by either the receipt of public cash assistance for income maintenance, or institutionalization for long-term care at government expense.” Participation in the WIC Program does NOT give rise to a public charge determination.
