BREAKING: Supreme Court Rules 5-4 in Favor of “Public Charge” Rule. This Impacts Thousands of Green Card Applicants.

On January 27, 2020, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Trump Administration's use of the “public charge” in a 5-4 vote. This decision requires that visa and green card applicants prove that they are not or will not become a public charge to the country at their time of application.

What does this mean?

According to the USCIS, a public charge is an individual who is likely to become “primarily dependent on the government for subsistence” through programs such as financial assistance or any other long-term care like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

With this decision, the Supreme Court is giving the Trump administration more power to deny visas or green cards to applicants coming from low income communities.

Applicants will now have to prove that they won’t be a public charge, or an “economic burden” to the country.

Does this decision impact the DACA case?

This decision does not impact DACA; however, it is an indicator on how the Supreme Court may rule on the DACA case.

What’s next?

Continue to stay informed, more information is still being released. There are benefit programs that will not be subject to public charge such as medicaid, CHIP, food stamps, among others. You can check the USCIS website for a full list.

Sources: CBS News