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welfare

Trump administration revives public charge rule that could deny green cards

Illustration accompanying article: Trump administration revives public charge rule that could deny green cards
  • The Trump administration on Thursday revived a rule that could deny green cards to immigrants who use public benefits such as food stamps, Medicaid, and housing vouchers.
  • The public charge rule appeared in the Federal Register on Thursday and is to be formally published July 20, with an effective date of Sept. 18.
  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said in a post on its X account that the rule restores a "basic principle that immigrants must be able to support themselves."
  • The rule was first implemented in February 2020 during Trump's first term and was reversed after President Joe Biden took office.
 2026-07-16 · 3 MIN READ

Judge blocks SNAP restrictions on soft drinks, candy

Illustration accompanying article: Judge blocks SNAP restrictions on soft drinks, candy
  • A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration lacked authority to allow states to bar SNAP recipients from using benefits to buy soft drinks, candy and other snack foods.
  • About 42.1 million low-income individuals receive SNAP benefits nationwide, and 22 states had obtained waivers to restrict purchases of sugary items.
  • Five SNAP recipients from Colorado, Iowa, West Virginia, Tennessee and Nebraska sued in March, arguing the restrictions were vague and harmful.
  • Judge Amy Berman Jackson found the USDA violated the Administrative Procedure Act by acting beyond its authority and skipping required public input procedures.
  • The National Center for Law and Economic Justice, which filed the lawsuit, called the ruling "a major step in restoring essential food assistance."
 2026-06-23 · 3 MIN READ
Illustration accompanying article: For nuns who gave a lifetime to others, basic end-of-life care is scarce