Several organizations note that some communities are afraid to seek government assistance due to the public charge policy, even though it was modified by the White House in 2021.
Rising prices across the United States are making it increasingly difficult for a segment of the population to afford basic necessities.
Prices in the United States are 25% higher than in 2020, before the coronavirus pandemic. This aligns with data from the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which reflects the same rate.
This situation has directly impacted food access, particularly for the most vulnerable populations. Food insecurity in U.S. households remains a serious concern. According to data from Save the Children, at least 17% of children in the country are not receiving the essential food and care needed for proper development.
This alarming situation can be attributed to several factors, including financial hardship, job loss, and the effects of inflation.
The concerning reality is that millions of children face compromised development and futures due to these circumstances, with even more unfavorable indicators for the Hispanic population, according to Save the Children.
Inflation in numbers
In January 2024, the annual inflation rate in the United States was 3.1%, showing a decrease of three-tenths of a percent compared to the previous month. The monthly variation of the Consumer Price Index was 0.5%, resulting in an accumulated inflation of 0.5% for 2024.
A notable increase was seen in the prices of clothing and footwear, which rose by 1.7%, bringing their year-over-year rate to 0.1%. This contrasts with a 0.5% decrease in transportation sector prices, which experienced a year-over-year variation of 1.6%.
It is worth noting that in 2022, inflation reached 9.1%, the highest in 40 years, leading to a widespread increase in prices, many of which have remained stable since then.
The current reality is reflected in a growing number of people turning to food donation centers for help in meeting their households’ basic needs. The combination of inflation and lack of opportunities has hit families hard, worsening the situation and increasing the demand for food assistance. The struggle to ensure adequate nutrition and a supportive environment for child development presents an urgent challenge that requires attention and action from society and relevant authorities.
What is the basic basket?
The basic basket refers to the set of essential products a family needs to meet its basic consumption needs. These products include staple foods, personal care items, cleaning supplies, and, in some cases, essential services like transportation, contributing to a balanced diet.
The definition and quantity of products in the basic basket are typically determined by government agencies responsible for measuring the cost of living and establishing economic policies.
The primary function of the basic basket is to provide a reference for assessing the impact of prices on the cost of living and to guide policies aimed at ensuring access to essential elements for a dignified life.
Thus, the basic basket serves as a national economic indicator encompassing the minimum food and hygiene products necessary for people’s subsistence.
The concept of the food basket originated in the early 20th century, thanks to English chemist Seebohm Rowntree, who developed it in 1902 to address poverty among workers in the city of York.
Mariana Joyal, media and partnerships manager at the organization No Kid Hungry, a U.S. group advocating for children’s nutritional well-being, states that the data is “critical,” as “one in five children in the United States lives with hunger.” Additionally, according to the organization’s data, the situation is worse in the Hispanic community.
“For Latino children, it’s nearly double—more than one in three,” Joyal adds.
The organization recently invested over a million dollars to support 17 groups serving Latinos and immigrants. A spokesperson for No Kid Hungry notes that there is a lack of awareness about the public charge policy, leading many families to avoid seeking help for their children out of fear it could later affect their immigration proceedings.
To contextualize this scenario, one must look back to 2019, when then-President Donald Trump “issued a rule that drastically expanded this definition of public charge and included nutrition programs like SNAP,” some of the available programs for the most vulnerable populations to access free or low-cost food.
What is the public charge policy?
The public charge policy in the United States referred to a set of rules and criteria used by the government to determine whether an applicant for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status could become a public charge for the country. A public charge is defined as a person who significantly depends on public assistance for their livelihood.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) evaluated several factors, such as the use of social assistance programs like food stamps, cash assistance, and government-subsidized healthcare. If an applicant was deemed likely to become a public charge, their visa or adjustment of status application could be denied.
Part of it was repealed by the current administration
However, the current U.S. administration revoked that measure in early 2021, including protections for such programs. “These protections make it explicit that the use of nutrition, housing, or healthcare programs does not constitute public charge determinations,” Joyal recalls.
Despite this, she laments that there is “an effect of fear and apprehension” among the immigrant community when accessing these benefits, due to potential consequences for immigration matters.
“We know that between 3 and 4 million children from immigrant families who are eligible for these programs have struggled with significant fear when accessing them,” the organization’s spokesperson noted.
In her view, campaigns are needed to build trust among these vulnerable communities so they can access aid programs. “That means working directly with community members who know each other, who see each other at church, at school, at markets—people who are part of their community,” she said, convinced that “this is crucial for building trust with communities” and “creating welcoming and inclusive environments.”
“Fear must be eliminated”
For her part, Marissa Calderón, associate director of family empowerment at the nonprofit Chicanos por la Causa in Arizona, laments that it is “unacceptable” for people in a country like the United States to go hungry.
“No child, adult, or family should be going hungry,” she emphasized, noting that aid funds should be used for “the well-being of the community.”
This organization has launched its own campaign to explain to the immigrant community that using government assistance for food will not affect their immigration status. “We are in the neighborhoods, with the neighbors, talking to inform them and eliminate that fear,” she stated.
According to the latest report on the state of children worldwide, at least 12 million children in the United States are experiencing some degree of malnutrition. Additionally, food insecurity has increased by more than 60% since March 2020. This trend began during the COVID-19 pandemic and affects people across various socioeconomic levels, meaning it is not limited to a specific group in society.
Image: Monumental
