#public-benefits

#public-benefits

Beginning on January 21, the U.S. will indefinitely suspend immigrant visa processing from 75 countries as part of the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration. While the suspension only applies to those visas needed for employment or to join family in the U.S.-and not student or tourist visas-it includes many beloved travel destinations for Americans. The countries selected-including the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Thailand-were deemed "high risk of public benefits usage" by the State Department, according to a statement on Wednesday.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services wants to expand a Biden-era policy known as public charge that could further curtail immigrants' use of public benefits. That means that migrants' use of safety net programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Medicare, could be considered when determining whether they should be granted further legal status, such as a green card. Homeland Security Department officials released a new proposed regulation this week that's set to be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday.

Take the old example of Ross Perot: Before he was a presidential candidate, he made his fortune producing welfare forms for the federal government. Today, this dynamic has evolved into sophisticated disaster capitalism, where public benefit systems create ideal conditions for private equity extraction that devastate both vulnerable communities and nonprofits.

For too long, the government has diverted hardworking Americans' tax dollars to incentivize illegal immigration. Today's action changes that-it restores integrity to federal social programs, enforces the rule of law, and protects vital resources for the American people.

Years after the system's disruptive launch, Rhode Island faced lawsuits and federal fines. The system, which was rebranded as RIBridges, still faces challenges today.