Five Key Facts About Immigrants’ Understanding of U.S. Immigration Laws, Including Public Charge

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    The United States has been taking in more immigrants than any other country. It is home to one-fifth of the world’s migrants, and these immigrants come from about every country in the world. If you are also considering migrating to the United States and living the American dream, knowing the facts can help you make informed decisions. Contact Kats Immigration Law today to schedule a consultation with our expert immigration lawyer for the best advice on immigration-related queries and problems. Alina Kats has complete and latest information on immigration policies and provides deep legal expertise, support, and advocacy to make your immigration journey smooth.

    Immigration is the most important issue the United States is facing these days. However, with so many misperceptions about fundamental aspects of this crucial topic, including the size and composition of the immigration population, how immigration affects the economy and the workforce, and the impact of unauthorized immigration, it can result in direct harm to the immigrants and refugees. As a result, there is a rising concern about the policies, social movements, and rhetoric that can impact millions of lives.

    Political debates, campaign statements, as well as fake news about immigration increase the confusion and fear among immigrant families. Immigration was the key issue in the 2024 presidential election campaign, with Donald Trump announcing his plans to restrict immigration and deport undocumented immigrations without leniency. Amidst all this, immigrants with a lack of proficiency in English and difficulty accessing the right support programs can lead to further problems.

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    Facts and data on how immigrants understand the US immigration laws

    Here are the five key facts about immigrants’ understanding of U.S. immigration laws according to a detailed study. These facts help you better understand what is happening, what misconceptions are affecting the immigrant’s behaviors or feelings, and what you can do as an immigrant to find the best legal support regarding your future in the United States.

    Almost all of the immigrants claim they don’t have sufficient information to understand how US immigration policies or laws impact them and their families.

    This may sound unbelievable, but it is true. A large population of immigrants, especially those who are undocumented, have limited English proficiency or lower incomes, and do not have enough knowledge of US immigration policies or how they work. This lack of information regarding rules and regulations or confusion results in fears among immigrant families, and they end up avoiding assistance programs that could play a vital role in easing the challenges they face regarding their finances and healthcare.

    Even children born in the US are affected by this lack of sufficient information and end up facing unnecessary difficulties. Confusion and fears may escalate with growing immigration policy debates and threats by the newly formed government.

    More than half of the immigrants believe that utilizing government programs that help with healthcare, housing, or food can diminish their chance of getting a green card

    Research shows that almost 58%, which is about six in every 10 immigrants, believe that if they seek help from government programs for healthcare, housing, or food, it will reduce their probability of green card approval.

    The immigrants are not sure about public charge rules, do not have access to accurate information and end up suffering due to this. Having knowledge of public charge policies is important for continued outreach and education efforts that can help immigrants live a better quality life.

    Immigrants say they avoided noncash government assistance programs to prevent drawing attention to their immigration status

    One in twelve immigrants say that they stayed away from noncash government assistance programs because they did not want to draw attention to their or a family member’s immigration status. They think that using this assistance can affect their chances of getting a green card.

    This is particularly true for immigrants with low incomes, who are non-citizens. It shows that immigration-related fears and confusion about public charge rules can have consequences on immigrants who may need these assistance programs the most.

    Immigrants with limited English speaking proficiency say it is tough for them to apply for financial help from the government
    Every three in ten immigrants with limited English speaking proficiency and household incomes under $40,000 fear applying for government financial help with food, housing, or health coverage.

    The fear and confusion that accompany limited understanding of the language and inability to access information creates an additional barrier for immigrations to get the right help and support with so many things. Most immigrants with LEP speak Spanish, a dialect of Chinese, and Vietnamese and some speak other languages. This highlights the significance of accessing information in multiple languages.

    Immigrants say that they use several sources to seek information on US immigration policy, including the internet, attorneys, and other professionals

    When they were asked what they would do if they had a question about US immigration policy, about one-third of immigrants replied that they would first go to a search engine such as Google, and the other third said they would access a US government website. Almost 4 in 10 undocumented immigrants said they would consult an attorney or other professionals.

    Immigrants with limited language proficiency are split between using a search engine to checking out a US government website or seeking professional guidance. These findings indicate the need for accurate and trusted online information sources in multiple languages that can help immigrants access the right information and stay away from scams.

    Immigrants are a key part of the US economic and cultural society and play a vital role in making this country a multicultural hub. However, understanding the immigration laws and policies on your own can be a challenge, and you need the right guidance.

    What is needed right now is research, resources and easy access to facts and accurate information that can help immigrants and people aspiring to migrate to the United States. Better understanding of facts not only makes the immigration process easy but also enables new immigrants to get past the hurdles of moving to a new land and understanding the US immigrations laws and policies better. Fixing the problems will ensure that all the people living in the country can maximize their potential and contribute towards American prosperity.

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    If you are searching for an experienced and compassionate immigration attorney near you in the NYC area, Alina Kats is the right choice. With her extensive experience in a variety of immigration cases and updated information on immigration laws, Alina offers the best advice based on your specific situation or needs. She helps you understand and navigate the complicated immigration system based on data and research, which makes the process easy and approachable and helps achieve desired goals.

    Kats Immigration Law

    2365 Nostrand Avenue,
    Suites 106, 107,
    Brooklyn, NY 11210
    (973) 626-1177

    Updated on Apr 18, 2025 by Alina Kats (Immigratioon Lawyer) of Kats Immigration Law