The Trump administration is expected to issue a proposal in the coming weeks that would make it harder for legal immigrants to become citizens or get green cards if they have ever used a range of popular public welfare programs.
The move would not need Congressional approval.
It is part of White House senior adviser Stephen Miller's plan to limit the number of migrants who obtain legal status in the U.S. each year.
If approved, the measure would be the biggest change to the legal immigration system in decades, according to immigration lawyers, advocates, and public health researchers.
They estimate more than 20 million immigrants could be affected.