Regarding the proposed rule “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds”, I am writing to voice my strong opposition. Immigrants pay taxes. If they meet the eligibility threshold for public assistance, they should feel safe to use them without concern of the government dinging their record and rendering them “inadmissible.” This country claims to be a land of freedom and opportunity for anyone to come and make a better life. These proposed rules seem antithetical to that and calculated to be cruel to people who need temporary assistance.

Some people in favor of these rules try to paint a picture of immigrants coming here just to “take advantage.” However, data shows they are less likely than native-born Americans to use these services, and when they do, they consume a lower dollar value of benefits. Refer to the study Immigration and the Welfare State: Immigrant and Native Use Rates and Benefit Levels for Means-Tested Welfare and Entitlement Programs by Alex Nowrasteh and Robert Orr.

This comment is for:
Docket ID: USCIS-2010-0012
Agency: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Parent Agency: Department of Homeland Security (DHS)