Trump's controversial "public charge" rule takes effect, reshaping legal immigration

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

8. This doesn't apply to tourists. It only applies

to those seeking permanent residence (i.e., the 'green card') and non-immigrant visas such as the H-1B.

There's always been a public charge rule, meaning that an applicant had to meet or exceed the poverty threshold based on family size and location (Hawaii and Alaska had higher poverty thresholds), meaning that the Petitioner (or 'sponsor') had to show enough income and/or assets to support the foreign national (and any minor children), along with that Petitioner's family (if any).

What has changed for the worse is that now beneficiaries and applicants have to show they have not used any public services such as Medicaid or Food Stamps which is ridiculous since these services are also available to legal immigrants (note that I said 'legal' defined as anyone who is in valid status and legally present in the U.S.).