October 17, 2018 — Issue Brief

On October 10, 2018, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a proposed rule that would make it much harder for immigrants to obtain visas (including visas to study or work in the U.S.), to extend their visas, or to become lawful permanent residents (“green card holders”). The proposal greatly expands what will be considered in determining whether an immigrant would be considered a potential “public charge” and thus should be denied the visa or green card. The proposal marks a radically punitive departure from current policy for a number of reasons. For more about this proposal, see the website of the Protecting Immigrant Families campaign.