The White House plans to add new restrictions to green card and citizenship applications for legal immigrants who have used public services at any point in the United States.
In a
report by NBC’s Julia Ansley, she stated: “The Trump administration is expected to issue a proposal in the coming weeks that would make it harder for legal immigrants to become citizens or get green cards if they have ever used a range of popular public welfare programs, including Obamacare.”
Ansley also stated:
The move, which would not need Congressional approval, is part of White House senior adviser Stephen Miller’s plan to limit the number of migrants who obtain legal status in the U.S. each year.
Details of the rulemaking proposal are still being finalized, but based on a recent draft seen last week and described to NBC News, immigrants living legally in the U.S. who have ever used or whose household members have ever used Obamacare, children’s health insurance, food stamps and other benefits could be hindered from obtaining legal status in the U.S.
This proposal, of course, is close to my heart. I have an immediate family member that will be affected by this decision. Specifically, my aunt, who came here in the 1980’s from Cuba, sought refuge in the
Peruvian Embassy in Havana.
She was college-educated and had been a nurse and a teacher in Cuba. She was more than prepared to come to this country and contribute to the betterment of society as well to her newfound home. Even with two college degrees and permanent residency, she wasn’t allowed to work in the occupations for which she had studied.
Ultimately, she found jobs as a housekeeper and a translator. My aunt was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia and could no longer work. She relied on food stamps, disability and Medicaid for her treatments. Under this new proposal, my aunt would be at risk for deportation because her green card wouldn’t be renewed.
Using class as a foundation to legitimize who is allowed in this country is indefensible. Also, it’s noteworthy to mention that most
immigrants aren’t even eligible for federal welfare benefits within the first five years of living in this country.
They may qualify for state-only programs, but that would depend upon which state they reside in. In fact, only immigrant pregnant women and children would be eligible for welfare. If the husbands or fathers don’t receive any aid, or, rather, aren’t named, there’s the potential to divide families once again if these women and children can’t be granted residency or citizenship.
Unlike First Lady Melania Trump, who came here in 1996 on a visa like everybody else. She was given the opportunity to
“apply” for the EB-1 Visa in 2000 because apparently “modeling” is considered an extraordinary ability.
It is safe to assume that President Trump pulled strings to get her that visa. They had been dating since 1998 so it would make sense to expedite her citizenship process. She, literally, became a citizen at the five-year mark of having her green card. The average green cardholder’s track (Latinos specifically) for citizenship is 12 years.
Ironically, Trump and Miller’s claims of immigrants draining resources provided by welfare benefits is largely unfounded. Financial stability is a key factor when U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services makes decisions with reference to awarding green cards.
As part of the process, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services staff must determine whether or not a green card applicant will become a
public charge — someone who is primarily dependent on the government to survive. If they are considered likely to become a public charge, they will be denied a green card.
