The Trump administration is moving to reinstate stricter financial requirements for immigrants seeking permanent legal residency, reversing a Biden-era policy that reduced consideration of government assistance use when evaluating green card eligibility.
The Department of Homeland Security is preparing to rescind Biden administration regulations and restore the "public charge" Standard, which assesses whether an immigrant is likely to become financially dependent on taxpayer-funded benefits. Under federal law, immigration officials may determine that an applicant is inadmissible if expected to become a "public charge" Supported by public funds. The Biden administration narrowed this policy in 2022, allowing many applicants who received certain public assistance to remain eligible for green cards.
The revised DHS policy would return to broader standards implemented during Trump's first administration, allowing immigration officers to consider an applicant's age, health, family circumstances, assets, financial resources, education, job skills, and use of means-tested government assistance programs. The change would again include benefits such as food stamps, Medicaid, and housing assistance in public charge determinations.
DHS estimates the revised policy could affect as many as 588,000 individuals applying for green cards from within the United States, with the rule potentially taking effect as early as October.
The public charge standard predates both recent administrations, having been first adopted in its modern form in 1999 during President Bill Clinton's administration.
The administration is also considering additional financial requirements for overseas green card applicants. The State Department is evaluating a proposal requiring certain applicants to post a $100,000 bond before immigrating. If adopted broadly, applicants would likely pay the bond and receive it back only after becoming U.S. Citizens, a process taking at least five years, serving as collateral if the green-card holder proved unable to support themselves.
"President Trump has made clear that those who wish to immigrate to the United States must be financially self-sufficient," State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said. The administration is exploring the bond idea "as a way to demonstrate they have access to the funds needed to support themselves."