The Trump administration continues to aim to make the United States consist of a populace that is prosperous and thriving without the assistance of the government. Unemployment rates are at record lows. Wages are rising. Millions of citizens are no longer on food stamps and other governmental assistance. Now the latest, America may soon no longer be importing a dependent class.

On Saturday, the administration announced that green cards could be withheld from immigrants that would pursue government assistance through programs like food vouchers or public housing. Thus, new green cards are to be reserved for those that are able to maintain a level of independence and self-reliance. According to the administration, this new regulation could affect about 382,000 people a year.

“Federal law has always required those seeking green cards to prove they will not be a burden,” to a certain extent, reports the NY Times. However, the government has not before included restrictions to programs “like assistance for food.”

The Department of Homeland Security website notes that the new regulation will see the need for public benefits as “heavily weighed negative factors” for green card applicants. If it is discovered that an applicant is likely to be dependent on the government, they will likely be denied.

The new rule will ensure that those seeking to enter and remain in the United States either temporarily or permanently can support themselves financially and will not be reliant on public benefits,” according to DHS. NY Times reports, “Trump administration officials say the rule is intended to promote fiscal responsibility.”

In the proposal it is suggested, “Self-sufficiency has been a basic principle of United States immigration law since this country’s earliest immigration statues.” The American dream has long been conceived as an opportunity to start anew, make a name for oneself, and climb the ladder to individual success. It is this concept that is seeking to be rediscovered by the administration with motions like this one. Immigration policy plays a large part on the expected contribution new immigrants are to have in store for the nation.