Washington (AFP)

Migrants receiving social benefits, such as subsidized care or housing allowance, may now be denied US citizenship, according to new rules announced Monday by the government of Donald Trump, true to his credo immigration "on merit" .

These measures target millions of mostly Hispanic workers, usually in low-paying jobs.

Judged likely to become "charges for society", they will be denied access to the territory and those already in the United States will be denied the "green card", the US residence permit, specifies the new published regulations by the White House.

If they already have a green card, they will not be able to get US citizenship.

The text targets destitute migrants, who benefit from housing allowances or food stamps when they arrive in the United States for a limited period of time. It is also intended to discourage unskilled immigrants seeking asylum in the United States.

The US immigration law states that those who come to live in the United States can not become a burden on society, the presidency recalls: "For years, this clear requirement has been largely ignored, placing a huge burden on American taxpayers Today, the law on charges for society will finally be implemented ".

"President Trump's government is once again defending the ideals of autonomy and individual responsibility, ensuring that immigrants are able to support themselves and succeed here in America," said Ken Cuccinelli, director interim of US immigration services.

"Many foreigners and their families have benefited from our generous public aid system, limited resources that otherwise would have benefited vulnerable Americans," notes a White House statement.

- Children not concerned -

This decision could affect 22 million foreigners legally residing in the country, as well as some 10 million immigrants illegally settled in the United States, often for years.

According to the White House, half of foreign families living in the United States include at least one person using Medicaid, the country's public health insurance system for the poor.

In addition, 78% of households headed by non-educated foreigners use at least one public aid program, the executive adds.

Mr Cuccinelli said the new regulation would come into force from 15 October to determine whether green card holders have benefited from public subsidies in an abusive manner.

He pointed out that the new regulations did not concern childcare or pregnant women, nor care in the emergency departments of hospitals.

The strengthening of the "burden on society" regulation, which has been under consideration since 2018, has received strong support from conservatives in the United States, while immigration advocates have strongly criticized it.

- "Racist politics" -

In May, Donald Trump announced a major reform of the legal immigration system in the United States, intended to select foreigners on the basis of their "merit" and no longer because of their family ties.

"Our plan will transform the American immigration system into pride for the nation and will be admired from around the world," said the US president, denouncing a "dysfunctional", "discriminatory against genies" and " brilliant minds ".

For pro-immigration groups, the use of public aid by migrants is not a real problem.

According to a study by the Urban Institute research center published last month, new immigrants to the United States have already given up public support since information on the possible strengthening of the "burden for society" rule began to circulate. last year.

The National Immigration Law Center, a pro-immigrant group, announced Monday its intention to appeal to justice to block the implementation of this reform, which he called "racist politics."

© 2019 AFP