Homeland Security Issues Rule Penalizing Legal Immigrants For Use Of Medicaid & Food Stamps

On October 10, 2018, the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a proposed rule changing the department's rules on use of public benefits by legal immigrants. The rule specifies that receipt of Medicaid or benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other non-cash benefits will count against the immigrant in applications to remain in the United States. Use of these publicly funded programs will be considered as evidence that the immigrant has become a "public charge" and is not self-sufficient. The rule does not include consideration of . . .