Would a change to the public charge rule promote self sufficiency in immigrant communities, or would it penalize immigrants who are already in the U.S. legally?
For purposes of determining inadmissibility, “public charge” means an individual who is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for subsistence, as demonstrated by either the receipt of public cash assistance for income maintenance or institutionalization for long-term care at government expense.
One Detroit’s Christy McDonald gets a little more perspective on the proposed rule change by talking with Rima Meroueh, the Advocacy and Community Engagement Manager from ACCESS.
The proposal is now fielding public comments, and could take effect as soon as 2019.
For another take on the public charge rule and its effect on immigrant communities, check out the PBS NewsHour report below:
Featured Image: United States Passport, Photo by Damian Bariexca via flickr.com cc 2.0
