A divided United States Supreme Court has backed a Trump Administration regulation that restricts the application for permanent residency of immigrants who’ve received any federal public benefit. The five to four decision was issued Monday, Jan. 27.
The regulation, which would restrict the ability of immigrants to seek permanent residency and eventually U.S. citizenship, ties access to a green card with the financial independence of the immigrant.
According to news reports, those legally in the country will be subject to the new criteria based on socioeconomic factors and their previous use of public benefits like SNAP, food stamps and Medicaid.
Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr., Neil M. Gorsuch and Brett M. Kavanaugh voted in the majority. Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan issued a dissenting opinion.