A new report from the Trump administration has been rolled out stating that they are most likely going to deny green card to immigrants who have either availed or are currently availing the government benefits like food or even cash assistance. This is expected to be foiled under the new rules by the Trump administration and is expected to negatively impact the sustenance of hundreds and thousands of Indians residing in the United States.
This new proposed rule was signed by the Homeland Security Secretary on September 21, 2018 and was saliently updated on the websites of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The proposition was slammed and strictly bashed by the Silicon-valley based tech industry as well as the political leaders.
As per the regulations mentioned in this new rule, it is stated that the foreign immigrants who tend to seek adjustment of status or even a visa need to establish a base ground confirming that they are most likely not going to become a public charge (ones who receive government benefits).
This latest bash and rule was mainly targeted to source down all the immigrants. The same was put into action after the Trump administration told the federal court regarding its decision to revoke the work permits of the H-4 visa holders. This specific law is expected to negatively impact the Indian-Americans working in the country, especially the Indian women who accounted as the major beneficiary under the Obama-era rule.
The DHS has showcased their interest in asking all the immigrants who are trying to extend their visa to demonstrate for a fact that they have not availed any kind public benefits from the government. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen further exclaimed stating that it is mandatory under the federal law to show that immigrating people will be able to support themselves financially, which is why the concept of public charge is not applicable for them.
Nielsen further stated that the department is ensuring to maintain transparency in the process which is why it is also welcoming public comment on the proposed rule as well. These set of rules and laws have been imbibed to ensure self sustenance of the immigrants and to ensure the protection of the finite resources to ensure that the same isn’t becoming a burden on the tax payers of the country.
The FWD.US President Todd Schulte stated that this policy will end up costing the United States in the long run by imposing limitations to the contributions of the hardworking immigrants and no one is better off because of the same. He further proclaimed that this law is set to create a subjective criteria and overly-bureaucratic process concerning any public change determination. According to Schulte, this is expected to end up hurting the communities residing here as well as the country on a whole.
The Los Angeles Mayor, Eric Garcetti was very well upset concerning this proposed law, mainly because of the deprivation that this law imposes on the immigrant families. Garcetti further explained saying that federal government shouldn’t be in the business to penalize the low income parents and target the immigrants who are living and committing to their duty as per the general rules and regulations.
This sudden change in the law is expected to impact a number of Indians who reside and are based out of the United States, especially in the IT sector. If statistics are anything to go by, around over 600,000 families in the US have their green card applications pending, as of April. Even though there are possibilities of changes before the rule is finally promulgated, there is no doubt that the impacts won’t be favourable for the Indian citizens in the US.
-Somapika Dutta
