The Story
The Trump administration wants to make it harder for legal immigrants to get citizenship.
Back up.
The Trump admin has been going after immigration. The goal has always been to cut down the amount of immigrants crossing the border. See: the border wall, its "zero tolerance" policy, etc. That was mostly focused on illegal immigrants. Now the admin's turning its attention to legal immigrants.
How?
It's got a plan: give authorities more power to turn down green card and residency visa applications for legal immigrants who've used public benefits like food stamps, Obamacare, or CHIP.
What are the rules now?
Authorities can turn down legal immigrants if they're likely to become too dependent on the gov. This new plan would change what's considered 'too' dependent.
You mentioned the "zero tolerance" policy…
Yup. Even though the admin stopped separating families, there are still hundreds of kids who haven't been reunited with their parents. That's because their parents have been deported. A federal judge says many are now at risk of being "permanently orphaned."
Anything else?
Always. Sec of Commerce Wilbur Ross may have stolen more than $120 million from associates over the years. Michael Cohen is apparently being investigated for tax fraud. And Rick Gates isn't holding anything back at Paul Manafort's trial. DC, man.
theSkimm
The admin has to get a final thumbs up before this becomes official. Meaning: Congress reportedly has no say in this major policy change that may affect more than 20 million immigrants.
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