The Trrump administration plans to deny greencards to immigrants who use “Medicaid, food stamps, housing vouchers or other forms of public assistance.” Federal law already requires those seeking green card status prove they will not not be a burden on the government or what is known as a “public charge.”
Trump’s new plan will now include educational needs, an applicant’s total household and his or her health as determining factors in obtainin a green card.
Immigrants make up a very small portion of those receiving benefits. In fact, many who qualify do not apply them out of fear of losing their status.
In today’s press conference, acting director of Citizenship and Immigration Services Ken Cuccinelli said, “We want to see people coming to this country who are self-sufficient. That’s a core principle of the American Dream. It’s deeply embedded in our history, and particularly our history related to legal immigration.”
Pregnant women on Medicaid or other public assistance programs will be exempt from the new policy. But 60 days after the birth of their child, they will become subject to them.
The new policy will go into effect in mid-oct.
