"Immigrants looking to apply for a Green Card faced hurdles if they had, since entry into the United States, ever applied for and received public benefits like food stamps, health care and social security. The current federal Administration set aside that rule last week. Under the new policy, Green Card applicants will no longer be asked if they have received any public benefits prior to application. According to the Migration Policy Institute, 10.3 million out of 22 million foreign nationals in the U.S. are enrolled in at least one taxpayer-funded federal welfare program (Medicaid, TANF or SSI benefits, food stamps and/or Social Security). The former federal Administration had a rule that created barriers toward full legalized status in the United States. The announced reversal is welcomed news and a win for immigrant-rights advocates. I applaud this step and remain vigilant to any attempt to reverse this much needed change."