ASSIMILATION Act

(54) The term means-tested public benefit—

(A) means a cash, medical, housing, nutrition, or other similar public benefit for which eligibility, amount, or duration is conditioned, in whole or in part, on income, resources, or financial need; and

(B) does not include—

(i) emergency medical assistance;

(ii) short-term, non-cash, in-kind emergency disaster relief;

(iii) public health assistance for immunizations or for the testing or treatment of symptoms of a communicable disease;

(iv) assistance or benefits under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.);

(v) foster care or adoption assistance for which an exception is provided under Federal law; or

(vi) in-kind community-level services necessary for the protection of life or safety, as designated by regulation after consultation with appropriate Federal agencies.

(55) The term National Interest Occupation means an occupation so designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security pursuant to section 203(b)(4).

(56) The term objective evidence—

(A) means independently verifiable evidence, including official records, government data, audited records, binding instruments, contemporaneous business records, or other reliable documentation; and

(B) does not include unsupported assertions, self-serving statements standing alone, or speculative projections.