Should the Federal Government Limit the Number of Green Card Holders by which Immigrants Are Likely to Be Dependent on Government Resources (the Public Charge Rule)?

2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SITE

Last updated on: 5/26/2020 12:37:49 PM PST

A US Supreme Court ruling on Jan. 27, 2020 allowed the Department of Homeland Security to implement the Trump administration's new "public charge" rule. The rule went into effect on Feb. 24, 2020.

Public charge is a reason a person can be denied admission into the country, a green card, or a visa based on whether the applicant will require public assistance such as welfare either upon admission or in the future. The public charge rule does not apply to the naturalization process.

Source: Immigrant Legal Resource Center, "Public Charge," ilrc.org (accessed Apr. 27, 2020)

Pro

Trump

Con

Biden

Hawkins

Jorgensen

Not Clear or Not Found

Pro (Yes)

Pro

Trump
Republican

"I am tired of seeing our taxpayer[s] paying for people to come into the country and immediately go onto welfare and various other things."

Source: Michael D. Shear, Miriam Jordan and Caitlin Dickerson, "Trump’s Policy Could Alter the Face of the American Immigrant," nytimes.com, Aug. 14, 2019

[Editor's Note: On Aug. 12, 2019, the Trump Administration issued a final rule that stated, "An alien who receives public benefits above a certain threshold is known as a 'public charge.'

Aliens will be barred from entering the United States if they are found likely to become public charges.
Aliens in the United States who are found likely to become public charges will also be barred from adjusting their immigration status."

Source: White House, "President Donald J. Trump is Ensuring Non-Citizens Do Not Abuse Our Nation’s Public Benefit," whitehouse.gov, Aug. 12, 2019 ]

Con (No)

Con

Biden
Democrat

"In the first 100 days, a Biden Administration will... Reverse Trump’s public charge rule, which runs counter to our values as Americans and the history of our nation. Allowing immigration officials to make an individual’s ability to receive a visa or gain permanent residency contingent on their use of government services such as SNAP benefits or Medicaid, their household income, and other discriminatory criteria undermines America’s character as land of opportunity that is open and welcoming to all, not just the wealthy. "

Source: Joe Biden, "The Biden Plan for Securing Our Values as a Nation of Immigrants," joebiden.com (accessed Apr. 27, 2020)

Con

Hawkins
Green

"No."

Source: Email from Kevin Zeese with the Hawkins campaign, July 2, 2020

Con

Jorgensen
Libertarian

"I will work to build a vibrant economy by lowering taxes and dismantling thousands of unneeded government regulations. And I will work to eliminate all government barriers to charitable giving and charitable health care. This will eliminate the need for most government welfare programs. As President, I will work to repeal arbitrary quotas on the number of people who can legally enter the United States to work, visit, or reside."

Source: Communication from the Jorgensen campaign to ProCon.org on Aug. 26, 2020

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