This bill would reinstate a 2019 rule that made it more likely for non-U.S. citizens to be denied admission or permanent residence if they were deemed likely to use certain public benefits. It would undo a 2022 rule that had reversed the 2019 rule.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill would reinstate a 2019 rule that made it more likely for non-U.S. citizens to be denied admission or permanent residence if they were deemed likely to use certain public benefits. It would undo a 2022 rule that had reversed the 2019 rule.
Last updated: 12/30/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Preserving Safety Net Integrity Act of 2023</strong></p><p>This bill enacts with the force and effect of law the final rule of the Department of Homeland Security titled <a><em>Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds</em></a> and published on August 14, 2019. The bill also nullifies the final rule issued by DHS titled<em> <a>Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility</a></em> and published on September 9, 2022.</p><p>The 2019 final rule made it more likely that a non-U.S. national (<em>alien</em> under federal law) would be denied admission or lawful permanent resident status because that individual is likely to become a public charge (i.e., receive certain public benefits).</p><p>The 2022 final rule nullified the 2019 final rule.</p><!--tinycomments|2.1|data:application/json;base64,eyJtY2UtY29udmVyc2F0aW9uXzk5NTU2NjM5MDIxNzIyMzY0NjQ0ODA1Ijp7InVpZCI6Im1jZS1jb252ZXJzYXRpb25fOTk1NTY2MzkwMjE3MjIzNjQ2NDQ4MDUiLCJjb21tZW50cyI6W3sidWlkIjoibWNlLWNvbnZlcnNhdGlvbl85OTU1NjYzOTAyMTcyMjM2NDY0NDgwNSIsImF1dGhvciI6InBsZXVuZ0BsaWIubG9jLmdvdiIsImF1dGhvck5hbWUiOiJwbGV1bmdAbGliLmxvYy5nb3YiLCJjb250ZW50IjoiQWRkZWQgbGlua3MgdG8gdGhlIEZlZGVyYWwgUmVnaXN0ZXIgdmVyc2lvbnMgb2YgdGhlIHJ1bGUuIiwiY3JlYXRlZEF0IjoiMjAyNC0wNy0zMFQxODozNzoyNC44MDVaIiwibW9kaWZpZWRBdCI6IjIwMjQtMDctMzBUMTg6Mzc6MjQuODA1WiJ9XX19-->
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Reinstates a 2019 rule that made it harder for non-U.S. citizens to be admitted or get permanent residence if they were likely to use public benefits
Nullifies a 2022 rule that had reversed the 2019 rule
The 2019 rule aimed to reduce the number of immigrants receiving public assistance
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
This bill would impact non-U.S. citizens seeking to enter or stay in the U.S., making it more difficult for them to be admitted or obtain permanent residence if they are deemed likely to use public benefits like Medicaid or food assistance. This could discourage some immigrants from applying or make it harder for them to gain legal status.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Immigration
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
4998, 119th Congress (2025). "SUN Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-4998
