Judge Halts Trump’s Wealth Test for Green Cards Over Coronavirus Pandemic

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration on Wednesday from moving forward with plans to deny green cards to immigrants who have received Medicaid, food stamps or housing vouchers, even on a limited basis — a wealth test challenged by New York and other states in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

The judge, George B. Daniels of the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, granted a nationwide temporary injunction, suspending the eligibility requirements that were introduced last year and have drawn several legal challenges, including before the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court ruled in January that the Trump administration could move forward with the plan, but that was before the pandemic.

In the past, green card applicants who relied on social services as their primary means of financial support or were institutionalized could be denied permanent residency under what is known as the “public charge” rule. But fewer than 1 percent of applicants were previously disqualified on public charge grounds.