The Trump administration is reviving a rule known as “public charge” that could deny green cards to immigrants who use public benefits that could include food stamps, Medicaid, housing vouchers and others.
Under the policy, applicants for green cards have to show they wouldn’t be burdens to the country or “public charges.” It appeared recently appeared in the Federal Register and will be formally published on July 20 and take effect Sept. 1.
The policy was originally implemented in 2020 to limit legal immigration in his first administration but was reversed by the Biden administration. Trump has brought the hardline policy back to curb both illegal and legal immigration and reaffirm the requirement of self-reliance, protecting public resources and ending policies that encouraged dependency on the backs of hardworking American taxpayers, according to a post on X by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Federal law already requires those seeking permanent residency or legal status to demonstrate that they will not become a public charge, but the new rule broadens the grounds for disqualification.
There were 22.8 million noncitizens living in the U.S. in 2023, according to the Census Bureau.
Nongovernmental organizations said the policy generated confusion and fear and caused many immigrants and their U.S.-born relatives to decide not to apply for benefits and services to which they were entitled.
Immigrant advocates condemned the government’s decision to revive the “public charge” rule and expressed concern, saying the regulation is a direct assault on immigrant families, and a threat to our country’s health and economic security.