‘Major Victory’ for Caribbean Nationals Seeking U.S. Entry

NEW YORK – An effort by the administration of President Donald Trump to restrict approval for Caribbean and other immigrants’ entry into the United States has been blocked.

New York Attorney General Letitia James claimed “a major victory” against the Trump administration after a U.S. federal court late last month halted rules aiming to deny permanent residence or "green cards” and visas to Caribbean and other immigrants who are likely to use government assistance programs in the future.

In February, a James co-led coalition of 22 attorneys general across the U.S., plus some local municipalities, filed an amicus brief in federal court supporting the request for an immediate halt to the implementation of the new Trump administration rules.

“Despite the Trump administration’s repeated attempts to discriminate against those who don’t have the financial means to buy their way into this country, the court … came down on the side of justice and equality,” James said on July 29.

“Immigrants of all financial backgrounds make great contributions to this nation, and despite the president’s continued assaults on these groups, we will never stop fighting to protect them,” she added.

DENIAL

The administration’s rules, among other restrictions, would deny green cards and visas to those who cannot guarantee that they will either have certain types of private health insurance within 30 days of arriving in the U.S. or, alternatively, have the means to pay for any foreseeable medical costs that may arise during their time in the country.

The district court also halted other rules that would have changed the established meaning of public charge for immigrants seeking to enter the U.S.

According to James, U.S. federal law allows lawful Caribbean and other immigrants to apply for certain supplemental health and nutritional public benefits if they have been in the country for at least five years.