A federal rule that allows the federal government to base green card decisions on whether an immigrant would use government benefit programs, such as Medicaid and food stamps, is now in effect.
Immigrations officials have begun enforcing regulations under the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds Final rule, according to national media outlets. Some opponents have stated the rule targets poor, legal immigrants seeking to become permanent U.S. residents.
The rule, which was first announced August, also has been denounced by industry advocates, including LeadingAge, who have warned that it could limit immigrant seniors’ access to long-term care services and hurt the industry’s workforce supply.
“Under this new rule, it will be difficult for workers in long-term care to extend their status as an authorized worker with a green card because of their wage history and current receipt of nutrition supports (SNAP) or housing assistance in the form of public housing, vouchers or project-based Section 8,” LeadingAge previously wrote.
James Firman, president and CEO for the National Council of Aging, added that immigrant seniors who’ve “played by the rules will have to make an impossible choice between going hungry and avoiding needed long-term care support or losing their immigration status.”
The regulation was set to go into effect in October, but was blocked several times in federal court. The U.S. Supreme Court in January ruled in a 5-4 vote that the Trump administration could enforce it.
