Low-income immigrants can more easily become permanent U.S. residents after the Biden administration undid a Trump-era rule that barred immigrants from obtaining residency if they received government benefits.

Under the previous Trump-era public charge rule, individuals who could potentially receive benefits from the U.S. and become a burden to the country were denied residency status.

Initially, the public charge rule was interpreted as immigrants who received cash assistance, income maintenance, or government support for long-term institutionalization. However, the Trump administration expanded the definition of benefits to include non-cash assistance including food stamps and Medicaid.
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The new Department of Homeland Security rule, which will go into effect on December 23, will codify the standards that dictate when immigrants are considered a public charge or burden to the country.