(CNN) – Under the new regulatory proposal, the Joe Biden administration plans to set up a new rule that seeks to remove potential barriers to immigration that depend on the public interest and gain legal status.
The proposed change brings back the rule of “public fees”.
The Trump administration has changed decades-old rules, making it harder for people to gain status in order to reshape legal immigrants into the United States.
Considering what are the general benefits that a person may have to rely heavily on the federal government, the Biden administration directs that it should not be used against a person who is dependent on you, except for benefits such as food assistance programs and housing. resources.
Under the proposed rule, according to a notice sent to Congress, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would consider benefits such as cash assistance for income maintenance under the Provisional Assistance Scheme for Families in need and long-term institutionalization at government expense. .
“The 2019 tariff rule is not in line with our country’s values,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Myorgas said in a statement. “Under this proposed provision, we return to the historical understanding of the term ‘public fee’, and individuals will not be penalized for choosing to access health benefits and other additional government services available to them.”
What is a “public fee”
Under current rules, which came into force in 1996, “public fees” are defined as those who are “primarily dependent” on government assistance, meaning they provide you with more than half of your income.
But it only counts cash benefits such as TANF or additional security income from Social Security. The Trump administration has expanded the definition of who is dependent on the government by adding more benefit plans. That change is no longer in effect.
Immigration officials can take into account the applicant’s financial resources, health, education, skills, family status and age. But according to experts, some people leave for relatively short reasons.
According to the announcement, the use of disaster relief, epidemic assistance and other benefits will not be counted against immigrants.
The DHS, citing experts, argued that the changes made by the Trump administration in 2019 had a cool effect on immigrant communities in the new regulation. Legal eligibility.
As a result, the Biden administration is proposing to adopt a rule similar to the one used before 2019. The proposed rule would have a 60-day public opinion period.