How US immigration proposals will complicate life for families

CHANGES TO 'PUBLIC CHARGE' RULE COULD HAMPER PERMANENT RESIDENCY

- BY JUSTIN VARGHESE Your Money Editor

The future of US immigration rules is again under debate, and this time the concerns are not only political — they are personal for thousands of expats in the UAE and rest of the world — who either travel regularly to the US for work or have family members on H-1B visas.

A new proposal from the Trump administration aims to change how the US decides who qualifies for permanent residency under the 'public charge' rule. At the same time, expanded security screening has already caused visa appointment delays at American consulates, leaving many families unable to return to their jobs, schools, and lives in the US.

If you are in the UAE and maintain strong links with the US — especially if your spouse, children, or relatives are on H-1B visas — these developments could influence your family decisions, travel plans, and long-term outlook. Here is what the changes mean in practical terms.

What the 'public charge' debate is really about

The “public charge” rule determines whether someone applying for a US green card might rely on government benefits in the future. It is not a new idea, but how the rule is interpreted has shifted over time.