Survey: Many immigrants fear benefits will risk future green card status

Around one in seven immigrant adults or their family members did not participate in a government benefit program in 2018 for fear of risking future green card status, including one in five low-income families, according to a recent Urban Institute survey. A proposed rule issued by the Department of Homeland Security last year would limit the ability of legal immigrants to adjust or extend their immigration status or gain full citizenship based on their receipt of Medicaid, the Medicare Part D low-income subsidy, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps) and select housing programs. The AHA has urged the agency to withdraw the rule.