On Thursday, July 16th, 2026, the Trump administration announced the revival of a policy that permits immigration officers to deny green cards to applicants who have used public benefits like Medicaid, housing assistance, or food stamps. This policy reinstates the application of the "public charge" test, which evaluates whether immigrants are likely to depend on government support.

The rule impacts how officials assess the eligibility of migrants seeking permanent residency in the United States based on their use of safety net programs.

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