When the US decides whether or not to grant an immigrant a green card, they look at many factors. That includes if they heavily rely on certain government programs to get by. But proposed changes at the federal level means this whole system is about to change. Professor Tiffany Joseph explains these changes and what they mean for immigrants in America.

• Find the full rule online at the Federal Register, where public comments can be submitted
• Check out this explainer of the public charge rule change by Vox
• Read Joseph's SSN brief, How Health Reform Excludes Unauthorized Immigrants – And Why That Needs to Change