Trump administration wants immigrant sponsors to provide bank information

Between the lines: All immigrant sponsors must first sign Affidavits of Support, pledging financial responsibility for that immigrant — including if the immigrant uses certain public benefit programs such as food stamps or Medicaid.

• But the law has rarely, if ever, been enforced, according to former Justice Department immigration attorney Leon Fresco.
• The proposed change would also require sponsors to provide information about any previously submitted pledges of support for immigrants they've sponsored.
• Affidavits would have to first be notarized as well.

The big picture: The rule could discourage some people from sponsoring immigrants at all. It‘s part of a broader push by the Trump administration to block immigrants from using public benefit programs — and keep people out of the U.S. who are deemed likely to use public benefits.