This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-49323324
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Trump official revises Statue of Liberty poem to defend migrant rule change | Trump official revises Statue of Liberty poem to defend migrant rule change |
(32 minutes later) | |
A top US immigration official has revised a quote inscribed on the Statue of Liberty in defence of a new policy that denies food aid to legal migrants. | A top US immigration official has revised a quote inscribed on the Statue of Liberty in defence of a new policy that denies food aid to legal migrants. |
The head of Citizenship and Immigration Services tweaked the passage: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free". | |
The official added the words "who can stand on their own two feet and who will not become a public charge". | The official added the words "who can stand on their own two feet and who will not become a public charge". |
It comes as Trump officials debuted a regulation that denies aid to migrants. | It comes as Trump officials debuted a regulation that denies aid to migrants. |
Ken Cuccinelli, the Trump administration's acting head of Citizenship and Immigration Services, announced on Monday a new "public charge" requirement that limits legal migrants from seeking certain public benefits such as public housing or food aid, or are considered likely to do so in the future. | Ken Cuccinelli, the Trump administration's acting head of Citizenship and Immigration Services, announced on Monday a new "public charge" requirement that limits legal migrants from seeking certain public benefits such as public housing or food aid, or are considered likely to do so in the future. |
The new regulation, known as a "public charge rule", was published in the Federal Register on Monday and will take effect on 15 October. | The new regulation, known as a "public charge rule", was published in the Federal Register on Monday and will take effect on 15 October. |
The rule change is intended to reinforce "ideals of self-sufficiency", officials said. Critics argue that it will prevent low-income US residents from seeking help. | The rule change is intended to reinforce "ideals of self-sufficiency", officials said. Critics argue that it will prevent low-income US residents from seeking help. |
What did the official say? | What did the official say? |
On Tuesday, Mr Cuccinelli was asked by NPR whether the 1883 poem titled The New Colossus at the Statue of Liberty on New York's Ellis Island still applied. | On Tuesday, Mr Cuccinelli was asked by NPR whether the 1883 poem titled The New Colossus at the Statue of Liberty on New York's Ellis Island still applied. |
"Would you also agree that Emma Lazarus's words etched on the Statue of Liberty, 'Give me your tired, give me your poor,' are also a part of the American ethos?" asked NPR's Rachel Martin. | "Would you also agree that Emma Lazarus's words etched on the Statue of Liberty, 'Give me your tired, give me your poor,' are also a part of the American ethos?" asked NPR's Rachel Martin. |
"They certainly are," Mr Cuccinelli responded. "Give me your tired and your poor - who can stand on their own two feet and who will not become a public charge." | "They certainly are," Mr Cuccinelli responded. "Give me your tired and your poor - who can stand on their own two feet and who will not become a public charge." |
"That plaque was put on the Statue of Liberty at almost the same time as the first public charge [law] was passed - very interesting timing," he added. | "That plaque was put on the Statue of Liberty at almost the same time as the first public charge [law] was passed - very interesting timing," he added. |
The actual passage reads in part: "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" | The actual passage reads in part: "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" |
In the interview, he added that immigrants are welcome "who can stand on their own two feet, be self-sufficient, pull themselves up by their bootstraps, again, as in the American tradition". | In the interview, he added that immigrants are welcome "who can stand on their own two feet, be self-sufficient, pull themselves up by their bootstraps, again, as in the American tradition". |
After the host asked if the policy "appears to change the definition of the American dream," he said: "We invite people to come here and join us as a privilege. | After the host asked if the policy "appears to change the definition of the American dream," he said: "We invite people to come here and join us as a privilege. |
"No one has a right to become an American who isn't born here as an American." | "No one has a right to become an American who isn't born here as an American." |
Who will be affected by the new rule? | Who will be affected by the new rule? |
Immigrants who are already permanent residents in the US are unlikely to be affected by the rule change. | Immigrants who are already permanent residents in the US are unlikely to be affected by the rule change. |
It also does not apply to refugees and asylum applicants. | It also does not apply to refugees and asylum applicants. |
But applicants for visa extensions, green cards or US citizenship will be subject to the change. | But applicants for visa extensions, green cards or US citizenship will be subject to the change. |
Those who do not meet income standards or who are deemed likely to rely on benefits such as Medicaid (government-run healthcare) or housing vouchers in future may be blocked from entering the country. | Those who do not meet income standards or who are deemed likely to rely on benefits such as Medicaid (government-run healthcare) or housing vouchers in future may be blocked from entering the country. |
Those already in the US could also have their applications rejected. | Those already in the US could also have their applications rejected. |
An estimated 22 million legal residents in the US are without citizenship, and many of these are likely to be affected. | An estimated 22 million legal residents in the US are without citizenship, and many of these are likely to be affected. |
President Trump has made immigration a central theme of his administration. This latest move is part of his government's efforts to curb legal immigration. | President Trump has made immigration a central theme of his administration. This latest move is part of his government's efforts to curb legal immigration. |
What has reaction been? | |
The Democratic led House Homeland Security Committee condemned Mr Cuccinelli's revision in a tweet, calling the words "vile and un-American". | |
"It's clear the Trump Administration just wants to keep certain people out," the committee wrote, calling Mr Cuccinelli "a xenophobic, anti-immigrant fringe figure who has no business being in government". | |
Others pointed to his background as the attorney general of Virginia, in which he led a conservative campaign against immigration and homosexuality. | |
Asked about Mr Cuccinelli's remarks on Tuesday, President Trump did not directly respond to the Statue of Liberty quote, but said: "I don't think it's fair to have the American taxpayer pay for people to come into the United States." | |
"I'm tired of seeing our taxpayer paying for people to come into the country and immediately go onto welfare and various other things. | |
"So I think we're doing it right." |