A new proposal by the Trump administration sends a clear message to immigrants—low-income individuals and families need not apply for permanent residence.
A draft proposal leaked to the Washington Post states that immigrants with visas who are applying for green cards could be passed over if they use Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and other forms of government assistance—even if they are parents using those benefits for their children.
According to the draft proposal (emphasis added):
Tying permanent residence in the U.S. to an immigrant’s current or future wealth is “extremely hardhearted,” said Wendy Parmet of the Center for Health Policy and Law at Northeastern University.
“The administration, in the draft, talks about self-sufficiency,” Parmet told the Post. “But we don’t expect that of [babies]” who are born in the United States.
The proposed rule is reminiscent of a late 19th century law barring immigrants who were thought to be a “burden” or “public charge” to the government. In 1999, immigration officials made clear that government benefits can be used by immigrants—but under the Trump rule, families and individuals applying for green cards would have to “establish that they are not likely at any time to become a public charge.”
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