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The Trump administration describes its proposal to ban immigrants from becoming permanent US residents if they have received public benefits to ensure that newcomers are "self-sufficient".
The United States already has a law that allows them to refuse a green card to immigrants who it says could become a "public office" or depend on government resources. But the new proposal, announced Saturday, would expand the definition to include legal immigrants who have used public assistance programs such as food stamps or Medicaid.
The proposal raises questions about the number of immigrants who actually depend on government services and about what led them to enroll in Medicaid and other benefit programs. For example, do many people fail to become self-sufficient or do they work in jobs that do not pay a living wage or offer health insurance?
According to the Migration Policy Institute, most immigrants who depend on public assistance are employed but work in low-wage jobs. This allows them to qualify for programs like Medicaid, the health insurance program for low-income people.
In fact, a greater proportion of immigrants enjoying public benefits work in comparison to native-born Americans who receive benefits, said the group, a non-partisan think tank that studies issues related to the migration. About 58% of non-citizens and naturalized citizens who use at least one type of public aid work, compared to 44% of US-born adults who receive help.
Most immigrants who receive government assistance are employed but not earning a living, said Michael Fix, Principal Investigator at the Migration Policy Institute.
The new policy, if passed, could have a "deterrent" effect on newcomers to the United States, Fix said. About one-third of immigrants could give up or avoid registration to receive benefits if the rule is adopted, says his organization. In total, the United States has 21.9 million non-citizens and 6.8 million of them depend on public benefits.
Although the proposal may reduce public spending, the costs down are considerable, he added.
"This could lead to worse health outcomes, increased communicable diseases, even higher poverty rates and lower productivity rates," Fix said.
For example, immigrants in low-paying jobs, such as replenishing shelves at Walmart, may be eligible for Medicaid. But this proposal could lead them to abandon their Medicaid insurance, leaving them no medical coverage in case of illness or to pay for their children's vaccines.
The final version of the Trump administration could be to favor a certain type of immigrant – those who have more education and money, suggested Fix. The proposal would favor immigrants with income or assets over 250% of the federal poverty line, or about $ 62,000 for a family of four. Immigrants generally earn less than native born workers.
Administration policies are not the only ones that scare immigrants. A Secure Communities program, which was set up during the Obama administration, has been linked to a study to reduce immigrants' use of federal benefits such as food stamps and health care. found earlier this year.
The public will have 60 days to comment on the Trump Administration proposal after its publication in the Federal Register.
"I can promise you that there will be a lot of comments on this regulation," said Fix. "And undoubtedly, this will be challenged legally."
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