With less than two months before the mid-term elections, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the latest proposal on September 22, saying that for those applying for permanent legal residence status, the use of public benefits is a serious negative factor, and applicants may be denied green card. Those public benefits include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as food stamps, certain housing assistance, the Medicare prescription drug program (Part D) for seniors, and more. In addition to not being able to qualify for benefits, the new proposal also considers certain health conditions such as mental health disorders, heart disease and cancer to be important considerations for “public charge”. This new proposal does not apply to some people, including families whose income is less than 15% of the official poverty line, refugees or asylum seekers and so on.
The new rule does not require congressional approval and takes effect in about two months. A 60-day public review process is required before it becomes effective. Stephen Miller, the White House’s top immigration adviser, sees getting tough on immigration as a winning strategy for Republican candidates. So focusing on public benefits at this time, emphasizing their misuse by immigrants, is often an effective way to motivate conservative supporters. The Trump administration hopes the measure will keep Republicans in control of both houses of Congress for the remainder of Trump’s two-year term.
Reprinted from the official website of the Department of Homeland Security and other information.
All rights reserved by Lei Jiang Law Firm. October 2, 2018.