US Revives Green Card Rules For Immigrants Using Public Benefits
The Trump administration is reinstating the 'public charge' rule, which allows officials to deny green cards to immigrants who rely on public benefits like food stamps or Medicaid. This policy aims to prioritize self-reliance among legal immigrants and marks a shift from the previous administration's approach.
Why it matters
This policy change significantly impacts the legal immigration process and the accessibility of social safety nets for immigrant families, reflecting a broader shift in US immigration enforcement.
The Trump administration is reviving a rule that could deny green cards to immigrants who use public benefits that could include food stamps, Medicaid, housing vouchers and others.The policy, known as "public charge," appeared on Thursday in the Federal Register. It will be formally published on July 20 and take effect Sept. 18. Under the policy, applicants for green cards have to show they wouldn't be burdens to the country or "public charges."The policy was first implemented in February 2020 as one of President Donald Trump's moves to limit legal immigration during his first administration, but it was reversed after Democratic President Joe Biden came to power.Its return comes when the Republican administration is implementing a hard-line policy to curb both illegal and legal immigration, and when the cost of healthcare and food is rising.The federal government "is reaffirming the requirement of self-reliance, protecting public resources and ending policies that…
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in