The Trump administration’s new rules on green card dispersals took effect Friday, allowing federal officials to check whether applicants will need social benefits before approving permanent residency.
As of Friday, immigrants applying to receive their green cards must include information about whether they already are on social benefits and give information indicating whether they will need them in the future.
The new criteria will factor into the decision on whether their applications are approved and whether they are allowed to work and live in the US permanently.
Approximately 1.3 million green card applications were pending as of December 2025, according to the latest US
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