Feds tighten migrant rules

BOSTON — State leaders and immigration advocates are criticizing new federal rules that will require immigrants to show they won't be a burden on taxpayers, saying the regulations will hurt families seeking health care, housing and other public programs.

The rules, which will be released on Wednesday and go into effect Oct. 15, change how the federal government determines if an immigrant is likely to need public assistance such as food stamps, housing and Medicaid, ostensibly making it more difficult for low-income immigrants to secure permanent residency status or temporary visas.