Immigration officials can already deny applicants permanent status if they are more likely than not to become a “public charge,” but the new rule expands what being a public charge means by including more programs that could render someone ineligible. There are some exceptions, including for young migrants and pregnant women on Medicaid and those eligible for WIC, a food program for low-income pregnant and postpartum women. But after two appeals courts decided against imposing an injunction, the Supreme Court stepped in. In the ruling, Judge Neil Gorsuch slammed the use of nationwide injunctions like the one issued by the judge in New York. The administration has also worked to curtail legal immigration by—in addition to the public charge rule—limiting the number of refugees accepted by the U.S.

Source: Forbes January 27, 2020 19:52 UTC