AHIP submitted its comments on the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) proposed rule to expand the types of public benefits that would be considered in public charge determinations as part of immigration proceedings for legally present immigrants. Currently, the types of public benefits counted in public charge determinations include cash benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF), and Medicaid coverage of institutional long-term care/nursing home care. Immigration applicants who are found likely to rely on taxpayer-funded programs and become “public charges” can be denied permanent resident status. ... |