The state estimates that 200,000 legal immigrants in Connecticut and their children could be affected by the Trump administration’s “public charge” rule, which took effect Monday.
Immigrants who have used or are considered likely to use government aid will now find it much more difficult to get a visa or green card.
The change amounts to a kind of “wealth test” for entry into the U.S. or for those seeking legal permanent status, said Chris George, executive director of IRIS -- Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services -- in New Haven.
“We’re talking about food stamps, putting food on your table for your family,” he said. “We’re talking about Medicaid, medical assistance. We’re talking about housing subsidies.”
Certain public programs will not be counted against green card applicants, including Medicaid assistance for pregnant women and children. But George said the rule change is causing confusion and having a chilling effect across the community, including among refugees and asylees who are exempt.
“Many people are worried that any kind of assistance they receive is going to have an impact, so they’re denying themselves basic services, important services, because they’re afraid it’s going to have an effect on their green card application.”
Addtional factors will also affect an immigrant's ability to get a green card. They include age, health, employment status, English proficiency and whether the person has health insurance.
In a statement issued at the weekend, Trump Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said the rule will reestablish the principle “that newcomers to our society should be financially self-reliant and not dependent on the largess of United States taxpayers.”
This story has been updated.
