On the recordMay 1, 1996
It is true that individuals already in the country will not be the beneficiaries of new legally enforceable sponsor agreements that will be required after enactment. It is also true that some of those, those who have been here less than 5 years, will nevertheless be subject to at least a portion of the minimum 5-year deeming period. I remind my colleagues, however, that no immigrant is admitted to the United States if the immigrant does not provide adequate assurance to the consular officer and commissioner and the immigration inspector that he or she is not likely to become a public charge. In effect, that is a promise to the American people that they will not become a burden to the taxpayers, under any circumstance.
Source
govinfo.gov
