Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of New York, released the following statement today in response to the Supreme Court’s decision on the public charge rule on Monday.

Catholic Charities of New York is disappointed by the US Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Administration’s changes to the public charge rule to go into effect before its legality has been resolved. The rule threatens the ability of families to be reunified, and also frightens longtime legal residents into abandoning resources required to meet basic needs for housing and food. The spirit of this rule ignores reality: the overwhelming majority of immigrants come to the United States to reunite with their families and find work. They and their families become industrious, contributing workers in their new country. Harm inflicted on newcomers who have broken no laws and are merely trying to create better lives for themselves in America is a predictable result.