Trump wants to stop migrants coming to US for freebies

Published December 8, 2025 12:08pm ET



The Trump administration is proposing to close the door left wide open by former President Joe Biden to migrants who can’t take care of themselves without going on U.S. taxpayer-funded government assistance programs.

In a rule change meant to echo 140 years of federal law before the Biden administration’s open border policies, the Trump administration would more strictly require that migrants seeking green cards show that they can live here without soaking up programs set aside for America’s poor.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.