01 Public burden law officially lifted
September 8th U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the formal lifting of the "Public burden law" introduced during the Trump administration. The revised new regulations will take effect in December this year. The law of
includes the use of some benefits in the scope of consideration when applying for a green card, which greatly limits the use of benefits for immigrants.
Immigration rights activists say that the law reform has put many immigrants in trouble, and yesterday's announcement also caused cheers in the immigration community.
There were originally provisions in the immigration law that people who may become "public charges" will be restricted when applying for immigration.
02 affects how many people
But the previous law defined the "public burden" involving welfare applications very narrowly. Only immigrants who receive cash benefits or receive long-term care in the hospital will be included.
However, a new policy introduced during Trump has affected immigrants who apply for various federal and local benefits such as food stamps, tax refund plans, transportation subsidies, heating subsidies, etc. when applying for green cards. After the launch of the "public burden" policy, many immigrants were worried about withdrawing the benefits they depend on for survival. Many immigrant families have diversified identities and their parents live with their children of American citizens. This bill has an impact beyond green card applicants.
The Biden administration has stopped implementing the regulations in March 2021. Yesterday, the Ministry of State Security announced that it had officially revised this regulations. The new regulations will come into effect on December 23, and the "Public Burden Law" was officially abolished.
03 Put your heart back in your stomach
District Homeland Security Secretary Mayokas said in a statement that this action ensures that legal immigrants and their members of the U.S. citizen family are treated fairly and humanely. "Based on the basic values of the United States, we will not punish individuals who choose to enjoy medical benefits and other government supplementary services."
statement said:
Yesterday's announcement aroused cheers from the immigration rights protection community, and the American Immigration Council (American Immigration Council) Project general manager Lowell said the United States should make full use of immigrant talents from all walks of life.
, not just the privileged immigrants, stigmatizing new immigrants on the grounds of low income, neglecting the fact that immigrants need time to take root in this country.
New York Immigration Alliance Director Avada said that during the Trump administration, the regulations on public burdens were weaponized and became a racist, cruel deterrent that prevented people from getting any government services, and the Biden administration's announcement yesterday ensured The United States restores its democratic values and is committed to defending the dignity and security of its people.
04What is a public burden
It is reported that the term "public burden" began to appear in the US immigration law in the late 19th century, aiming to restrict immigration, especially immigrants from non-European countries.
1996, the Clinton administration limited the "public burden" to government cash funding and long-term reliance on government funding. In 2019, the Trump administration expanded it to housing subsidies, food subsidies and Medicaid (Medicaid).
Since March 2021, the Biden administration has abandoned its defense of the Trump-era "public burden" policy in several immigration lawsuits.
Documentary Department of Homeland Security said that the 2019 regulations scared away many immigrants and made them afraid to use critical public benefits.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-