Trump Admin. pauses visa interviews as it rolls out public charge update

The Trump Administration has announced a pause in interviews for visa applicants while officials undergo training on newly expanded "public charge" guidance issued earlier this month by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The freeze follows last week's decision by a federal judge to lift the administration's ban on entry for nationals of 75 countries deemed likely to become public charges.

According to administration officials, the pause on visa interviews will allow consular staff to receive in-depth training on the new policy guidance. The State Department said that interviews will be rescheduled once training on the new protocols is complete.

Under the guidance, the list of programs considered when determining whether a visa applicant could become a public charge is expanded to include non-cash benefits. Pres. Trump attempted a similar expansion of the public charge rule during his first term, though those policies were ultimately rescinded by the Biden administration.

Once the guidance goes into effect in mid-September, USCIS and consular officers will need to consider non-cash welfare programs, including SNAP (food stamps), WIC, Medicaid, CHIP, public housing, and college financial aid. Officers will continue to consider cash benefits, including SSI and TANF, as well as government institutionalization.

The guidance also expands officers' discretion, allowing them to consider an applicant's likelihood of using welfare benefits.

You can access the new policy guidance through the Immigration Accountability Project's Admin Tracker.

Republican Carlos Gimenez cosponsors amnesty bill

Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) dropped three spots to rank No. 209 in this week's release of the Congressional Immigration Rankings, according to IAP Action. 

Rep. Gimenez cosponsored H.R. 9535, the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act, which grants amnesty to millions of illegal aliens and their employers and opens up entire industries to the unlimited H-2A visa program. The bill, rated as key legislation and opposed by IAP Action, was introduced by Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA).

Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY) also cosponsored H.R. 9535 this week, causing him to drop one spot to No. 212 in the rankings.

You can view the full Congressional Immigration Rankings at IAPAction.com.

Immigration Articles

Fox News: Senator launches assault on illegal immigration gaps as GOP races midterm clock to lock in key wins

Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) is pushing a seven-bill legislative package ahead of the midterm elections to permanently codify the robust enforcement of immigration law, including ending birthright citizenship, restricting chain migration, raising H-1B wage thresholds, and barring illegal aliens from obtaining commercial driver's licenses.

Bloomberg Law: H-1B Workers to Lose Grace Period in White House-Approved Plan

The White House has approved a Department of Homeland Security proposal to eliminate the 60-day grace period that allows laid-off H-1B foreign guest workers to remain in the U.S. and find a new employer. As part of other H-1B reforms pushed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, this will further limit harm to U.S. workers. 

CBS: ICE arrested a record number of people without criminal records in summer enforcement surge, new data shows

With ICE daily arrests reaching a record high of over 1,580 this July due to a surge in apprehending illegal aliens with civil violations and expanding 287(g) partnerships, we are hopeful enforcement momentum is accelerating toward the administration's goals for increased removals nationwide.

Next Week

The House is returning after its long August recess next Monday, but the Senate will remain out until the week of September 14th. The House plans to pass the continuing resolution to fund the government through early December.