Former Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons has defended the Trump administration’s revised “public charge” policy, arguing that the United States should prioritize immigrants who can support themselves and contribute to the country rather than rely on taxpayer-funded assistance.
Speaking on Saturday Report, Lyons said the policy is about determining whether people seeking permanent residency can become self-sufficient. He argued that the administration is seeking to ensure that those coming to America through legal immigration pathways can bring economic value to the country.
LYONS: AMERICA SHOULD LOOK FOR “THE BEST”
Lyons framed the policy as part of a broader effort to change how the United States evaluates prospective immigrants. According to him, the administration wants to make sure that people receiving the opportunity to become lawful permanent residents have the ability to support themselves.
His remarks centered on the principle that immigration should benefit both the individuals coming to the United States and the country receiving them. Lyons said the objective is “ensuring that the best is coming to America to make America great again.”
The former ICE official’s comments reflect the Trump administration’s broader emphasis on self-sufficiency and stricter immigration standards.
PUBLIC CHARGE RULE BECOMES ANOTHER IMMIGRATION FLASHPOINT
The revised public-charge policy took effect on September 18, 2026, after the Department of Homeland Security rescinded the Biden-era 2022 regulation. Under the new framework, immigration officials can consider the totality of an applicant’s circumstances when determining whether the person is likely to become a public charge.
The policy has generated competing arguments. Supporters, including Lyons, describe it as a way to protect public resources and encourage self-reliance, while opponents argue that it could discourage eligible immigrants and families from accessing government assistance for which they qualify. Several Democratic-led states and cities have challenged the rule in court.
For Lyons, however, the central issue is straightforward: people seeking the opportunity to build permanent lives in America should be capable of contributing to the country rather than becoming dependent on its welfare system.
OGM NEWS reports that Todd Lyons’ defense of the policy has placed his argument for immigrant self-sufficiency at the center of the latest debate over how America should determine who qualifies for permanent residency.
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