What They’re Saying: Politicians & You React to Trump’s New Immigration Rule

What’s the story?

• The Trump administration has proposed a rule that would make it easier to deny green cards and visas to immigrants who are likely to use public benefit programs, like food stamps, housing assistance, and Medicaid.
• The “public charge” rule is expected to be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday. It will go into effect October 15th.

What are people saying?

Politicians and pundits

• Ken Cuccinelli, acting director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services, revised the iconic poem on the Statue of Liberty's pedestal to suggest that only immigrants who can "stand on their own two feet" are welcome in the country.
• "'Give me your tired and your poor who can stand on their own two feet and who will not become a public charge.’ That plaque was put on the Statue of Liberty at almost the same time as the first public charge was passed—very interesting timing."
• President Donald Trump retweeted:

• Mark Krikorian, with the Center for Immigration Studies, a Washington think tank that seeks to reduce immigration levels, applauded the move:

“There are hundreds of millions of people who want to move to the United States, and this rule ensures that we allow in only those who will be able to pay their own bills."

• Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center:

"This news is a cruel new step toward weaponizing programs that are intended to help people by making them, instead, a means of separating families and sending immigrants and communities of color one message: You are not welcome here.”

• Shikha Dalmia, with the pro-free-market think tank Reason Foundation, wrote that “the National Academy of Sciences has estimated that an average immigrant arriving today would contribute $150,000 more in taxes than he or she would consume in benefits over their lifetime.”
• Rebecca Sanin, CEO of the Health & Welfare Council:

“Folks are going to be forced to make the decision of whether or not they're going to feed their families or remain in this country. The message is very clearly that people who are not wanted here are people of color.”

• Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), who’s running for president in 2020, tweeted:

Countable users

• Alex wrote:

“Just because you are on the welfare program doesn’t mean your bumming off the system. The US is filled with thousands of low paying jobs that NEED to be filled for a functioning society.”

• Gopin2018 wrote that they supported denying green cards to immigrants on welfare programs:

“Absolutely, they are here illegally and are in violation of United States law. #MAGA”

• Kelsey commented:

“If they have a desire to be a productive part of society, we should not make it harder for people to get a green card or apply for citizenship.”

• Terri explained her reason for telling her reps why she supports the public charge rule:

“I do NOT believe it is the American Citizens responsibility to financially support everyone. If I go to a foreign country I support myself. I live in the North Texas DFW Area (born and raised) and there are too many people that have lived here on Welfare and Foodstamps that don’t even bother to learn English. We are enabling Laziness.”

• Melanie told her reps:

“Helping those in need shouldn’t come with clauses or exceptions.”

What do you think?

Should the U.S. deny green cards to immigrants on welfare programs? Take action above and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: DHS via Flickr)