News
Details Emerge on Immigration Proposal That Could Affect Older Adults
- By: USAging
- On: 09/28/2018 16:14:38
- In: Policy & Advocacy
A forthcoming Trump Administration proposed rule would make it more difficult to obtain admission to legal permanent residency in the U.S. and could have implications for deportation decisions. n4a and other advocacy organizations are analyzing exactly what these changes could mean for older adults and caregivers.
Overall, the changes would expand the “public charge” test that has been historically used to determine the probably of whether an individual seeking entry into or “green card” status to remain in the U.S. would depend on government benefits as their primary source of financial support.
Under the draft rule, public charge determinations would be expanded to consider more than use of direct cash assistance—such as SSI and TANF—and Medicaid-funded long-term care. The proposed rule would require that a number of other non-cash assistance programs be considered in the public charge test. These programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), non-emergency Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs and housing assistance could adversely affect the status of older adult immigrants, as well as the more than one million immigrants who are part of the paid caregiving workforce.
Once the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register, it will be open for public comment for 60 days before being finalized. n4a will provide additional updates on this proposal and its potential implications for older adults and caregivers as details are available.