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Utah advocates for the poor blast proposed rule that may make legal immigrants choose between assistance or deportation

Eleven Utah groups that advocate for the poor — plus the mayors of Salt Lake City and county — are protesting a proposed change by the Trump administration that could order deportation of legal immigrants if they accept Food Stamps or Medicaid.

That “may lead to increased poverty, hunger, unmet health care needs and trauma for communities across Utah,” said a joint statement by groups including Utahns Against Hunger, Catholic Community Services, Comunidades Unidas and Crossroads Urban Center.

The Trump administration is proposing to change how officials determine whether immigrants attempting to obtain or continue “green cards,” allowing permanent residency, are likely to become a “public charge.