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New Criteria for Legal Immigration to Affect Some Residents

4 years 7 months 2 weeks ago Monday, August 12 2019 Aug 12, 2019 August 12, 2019 3:49 PM August 12, 2019 in News - Local

MCALLEN – The Trump Administration announced new criteria for those seeking legal immigration status or a change to their current status.

The new rule says some depending on public government assistance could be denied the immigration status they seek.

Hugo Alberto Gomez is in the process to obtain his visa to legally work in the U.S.; originally from Tabasco, Mexico he hopes to find work as a cook.

He says right now he's doing everything by the book as he awaits his preliminary hearing with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

"I want a better life for me and my children," says Gomez.

He also doesn't want to seek any type of government help because he’s concerned it could affect his immigration process.

Immigration attorney Alex Martinez tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS that's not the case for many of his clients seeking legal immigration status or an adjustment to their status.

Martinez says from 35% to 50% of his clients currently depend on some sort of government assistance.

On Monday, the Trump Administration announced, starting Oct. 15, the USCIS will abide by a "final rule".

The rule allows officers to deny legal admissibility to people applying for legal or change of status; if they are found to have been dependent on certain government programs.

The following is a list of government programs that will not be considered under the new rule:

  • Emergency medical assistance
  • Disaster recovery relief
  • National school lunch programs
  • WIC
  • CHIP
  • Medicaid
  • Foster care and adoption subsidies
  • Students and mortgage loans
  • Food pantries
  • Energy assistance
  • Homeless shelters
  • Head Start 

For more information watch the video above.

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