‘Deny immigrants on benefits green cards’

DHS proposes new rule promoting immigrant self-sufficiency

WASHINGTON, Sept 23, (Agencies): US immigrants who get public benefits like food stamps or housing vouchers could be denied green cards, under a new proposal from President Donald Trump’s administration.

Trump came to power pledging to make immigration to the United States more difficult, and reduce the number of people allowed to stay in the country.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Saturday that under the proposed rule change, being a current or previous receipient of certain public aid would be seen as a “heavily weighed negative factor” in considering an application for lawful permanent residency.

“This proposed rule will implement a law passed by Congress intended to promote immigrant self-sufficiency and protect finite resources by ensuring that they are not likely to become burdens on American taxpayers,” Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said.

Immigrants applying for green cards are already required to prove they will not become a so-called “public charge,” with receipt of cash benefits considered.

But the latest rules set out a wide range of non-cash public benefits that could be disqualifying, including food stamps, housing vouchers and the Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy which helps with prescription costs.

DHS estimated the rule would affect just over 382,200 immigrants applying to adjust their status to lawful permanent residents each year.

The rule would primarily affect legal immigrants or people seeking to come to the US legally, as undocumented immigrants are already ineligible for most means-tested public benefits.

In a June report examining the potential effects – based on a leaked draft – the Migration Policy Institute warned many immigrants and their families may forgo benefits and services for which

and is known for his hardline views on immigration, is odds-on favorite to retain his seat in the rural, conservative state when he faces Democrat David Brill this fall.

But that hasn’t stopped six of his nine brothers and sisters from featuring in a series of videos released Friday for the Brill campaign, drawing surprised and bemused reactions as the family feud plays out across national media. (AFP)

6.4 quake hits off Guam:

Benefits

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the US territory of Guam on Sunday,

the US Geological Survey said. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The quake struck 212 km southeast of Hagatna and was a relatively shallow 10 km deep. (RTRS)

Major flooding linger:

Major flooding remains in eastern North Carolina more than a week after Hurricane Florence made landfall.

Gov Roy Cooper said Saturday that nine of the state’s river gauges are at major flood stage and four others are at moderate stage, while parts of Interstates 95 and 40 will they are eligible “out of fear of real or perceived immigration consequences.”

Advocates also expressed fears that immigrant families could find themselves having to choose between a united family and accessing necessities.

“(The rule change) places wealth over family, denying ordinary working families a place in America,” said Olivia Golden, executive director of the Center for Law and Social Policy.

The proposal will be subject to a 60-day comment period before coming into effect.

Proposal

The 447-page proposal published on the department’s website will appear in the Federal Register “in the coming weeks,” triggering a 60-day public comment period before it takes effect.

Coming less than seven weeks before midterm elections, the announcement could help galvanize voters who have backed or opposed Trump’s broad crackdown on legal and illegal immigration.

Immigrant advocacy groups said people may avoid or withdraw from public aid programs even at the risk of losing shelter and suffering deteriorating health because they worry they will be denied visas. Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, said the proposal was “an inhumane attack on the health and wellbeing of so many families and communities across the country.”

“How you contribute to your community – and not what you look like or the contents of your – should be what matters most,” she said. “This proposed rule does the opposite and makes clear that the Trump administration continues to prioritize money over family unity by ensuring that only the wealthiest can afford to build a future in this country.”

Potentially disqualifying benefits include Medicare Part D prescription drugs, Medicaid with some exceptions for emergency services and disability services related to education, food stamps and Section 8 housing vouchers.

remain underwater for another week or more. Emergency management officials said residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed will begin moving into hotel rooms next week.

“Hurricane Florence has deeply wounded our state, wounds that will not fade soon as the flood waters finally recede,” Cooper said. (AP)

Serial killer victim buried:

About 150 people have gathered at a Texas church for the funeral of one of the four women who authorities say were killed by a Border Patrol

agent they’ve described as a serial killer. The Saturday funeral for 35-year-old Guiselda Alicia Cantu at a Catholic church in Laredo is the last of the memorial services for the women who authorities say were killed by Border Patrol supervisor Juan David Ortiz.

Mario Aguero, funeral director of the Aguero Funeral Home, says Cantu was a mother of four.

The funerals for two other victims were held Friday and services for the other victim were held earlier. (AP)

‘Women’s perspective’:

Female foreign ministers meeting for the first summit of its kind vowed Saturday to bring a “women’s perspective” to foreign policy.

The two-day meeting, which began Friday in Montreal and brought together more than half of the world’s top women diplomats, focused on topics such as conflict prevention, democratic growth and eliminating gender-based violence.

“This meeting represented a historic occasion,” said Canada’s top diplomat Chrystia Freeland, who also took the opportunity to announce the creation of Canada’s first ambassador for women, peace and security.

“This is not about creating a pink ghetto. This is quite to the contrary. This is about highlighting the importance and the role and the rights of women and girls in the world,” Freeland said. (AP)