WASHINGTON, April 10 -- The Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum issued the following news release:

The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) and Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) oppose a proposed regulation that would deny permanent resident status ("green cards") or entry into the United States to immigrants who use a wide range of needed government services, including publicly-supported health care insurance, nutrition programs, and low-income housing assistance.

"Health care providers have both a professional obligation and personal commitment to serve those in need of care," said Jeff Caballero, AAPCHO Executive Director. "This proposed regulation would undermine the ability of America's health care safety net to provide critical health care to low-income individuals and families," he added.

"Immigrants always have been an essential part of America, and immigration status should not be denied because one's family needed health care, nutrition assistance, or housing assistance," said Kathy Ko Chin, APIAHF President and CEO. "If implemented, this proposed regulation would have a devastating impact on our Asian American communities," she added.

The proposed regulation being prepared by the Department of Homeland Security would expand, without precedent, the list of government programs that would result in the denial of green cards or entry to the United States to persons using almost every health, nutrition, education, housing and other programs, services, and assistance available under law to U.S. residents. Even more alarming is that the proposed regulation would consider participation in programs such as Head Start and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program by U.S. citizen children as a reason to deny green cards to their immigrant parents.

Access to these vital programs and services promotes the health, economic well-being and safety of all diverse American communities. The proposed regulation perpetuates false narratives that immigrants are undesirable and a financial burden to the nation.

Of those who receive green cards each year, 40 percent are from Asia. Thus, the proposed regulation would significantly impact Asian American families and communities.

About APIAHF The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum influences policy, mobilizes communities, and strengthens programs and organizations to improve the health of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Learn more at www.apiahf.org.

About AAPCHO AAPCHO is a national association of community health organizations dedicated to promoting advocacy, collaboration and leadership that improves the health status and access of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. For more information on AAPCHO, please visit www.aapcho.org.

First Federal Bank was recognized by USA Today in America’s Best Customer Service 2026 and America’s Best Customer Service Financial Services 2026.

The distinction of America’s Best Customer Service and America’s Best Customer Service Financial Services are the result of USA Today partnering with research firm Plant-A Insights. America’s Best Customer Service spotlights brands across 45 categories that go above and beyond in their customer service, both in-store and online. The rankings are a result of a wide range of customercentric metrics, publicly available data, and one of the largest independent customer service studies conducted in the United States. Using their proprietary scoring model, Plant-A identified the top 750 performers: 250 service providers, 250 in-store retailers and 250 online shops.

America’s Best Customer Service Financial Services spotlights the top 500 companies across credit unions, banks, life insurers, fintech firms and more. Plant-A analyzed more than 57,000 customer responses from September 2025 through October 2025 and narrowed an initial list of 13,000 companies to the final 500. The final list is based on customer experience with financial services companies across seven dimensions of customer satisfaction, including professional competence, customer service, problem solving, and friendliness.

“Being recognized by USA Today as one of America’s Best in Customer Service is an honor and reflection of the relationships we’ve built with our customers and communities.” said John A. Medina, President and Chief Executive Officer. ‘We succeed when our customers succeed, and we’re proud to be recognized for service that truly makes a difference.”