Significant changes to immigration policy are taking effect in the US, aimed at revising the criteria for granting permanent resident status. According to new guidelines, immigration services will conduct a comprehensive assessment of each candidate to ensure their financial independence from the state.
Assessment Criteria: From Income to Health
Authorities have published a detailed list of factors that will be considered when reviewing applications. The evaluation procedure will become much more detailed and will cover the following aspects of the applicant's life:
- Income level and asset ownership;
- Employment status;
- Level of education;
- Health status;
- Availability of health insurance;
- Financial sponsorship obligations.
The main goal of these measures is to filter out those who, in the opinion of officials, may become a burden on the country's social security system.
Implementation of Trump Administration Directives
These rules were developed to implement a presidential directive by Donald Trump. The document aims to strengthen control over compliance with immigration laws and guarantee that new residents of the country will be financially independent and not dependent on taxpayer funds.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem emphasized that priority is given to self-sufficient citizens when granting status. She also confirmed that the administration will fully comply with the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) regarding the 'public charge' criterion.
Consequences for Applicants
Immigration officers have been given the authority to reject applications from individuals who, in their assessment, may rely on government social assistance programs. This means that having certain social benefits or lacking health insurance could become grounds for denial of a green card, even if the applicant meets other requirements.
These changes are already causing a wide resonance in immigration centers across the country, where people are lining up waiting for a decision on their future in the US.
