In August, the Trump administration announced a new public charge rule that would allow USCIS officials to deny green cards and visas for low income applicants who would likely rely on public assistance benefits. Under this rule, the status of immigrants who rely on programs like Medicaid, Section 8 housing assistance, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would be greatly impacted.
However, on October 11th, the new public charge rule was blocked by federal judges in three states: New York, California, and Washington. Each state issued temporary injunctions that prevent the rule from going into effect on October 15th.
According to Judge George B. Daniels, one of the judges who ruled against Trump’s public charge rule, the plaintiffs in the case are likely going to succeed. Judge Daniels said the rule was an example of “exclusion in search of a justification.” He also said it was “repugnant to the American Dream of the opportunity for prosperity and success through hard work and upward mobility.”
The public charge rule is being challenged in several federal courts by immigrant rights groups and state attorneys general. These cases argue that the rule discriminates against low-income immigrants and immigrants of color because the new requirements favor wealthier petitioners.
The White House issued a response saying that the injunctions against the public charge rule “prevent our Nation's immigration officers from ensuring that immigrants seeking entry to the United States will be self-sufficient and instead allow non-citizens to continue taking advantage of our generous but limited public resources reserved for vulnerable Americans.”
Talk to an Experienced Immigration Lawyer Today
At Nathan Christensen P.C., we are committed to advocating for the rights of immigrants throughout Texas, which is why we are glad to see that the Trump administration’s latest attempt to impose more restrictions on hard working immigrants has been blocked in court. If you have questions about the new public charge rule or how to obtain a visa, then you should get in touch with our legal team to discuss your situation. We are here to represent your best interests.
Call us today at (972) 497-1017 to request a consultation with one of our seasoned attorneys at Nathan Christensen P.C.