By Matt Noedler

(Excerpt)

More than two-dozen Senate Democrats are fighting back against the Trump administration’s expansion of the nation’s public charge rule. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) is introducing legislation that would block the rule’s expansion to include stricter criteria, such as income education level, for immigrants seeking to enter the United States.

“This would, of course, disproportionately harm immigrants who aren’t healthy, well-educated or speak English,” Hirono said during a news conference Tuesday.

The White House announced the rule last month, its latest attempt to crack down on illegal immigration. But Democrats fear this will have negatively affect legal immigrants already in the country. The rule could turn away low-income green card or visa applicants who have previously used public assistance, such as Medicaid, food stamps and housing vouchers.

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