As far back as 1952 "paupers, professional beggars, or vagrants" have been inadmissible. (Actually first introduced in 1882) Since then there have been many am

As far back as 1952 "paupers, professional beggars, or vagrants" have been inadmissible. (Actually first introduced in 1882) Since then there have been many amendments (usually adding exceptions). It is not unreasonable, but for specific exceptions, to deny visas to persons that are likely to require public benefits. The federal statutes have been that way for a long time, currently 100,000s of immigrants have to under go public charge scrutiny. Trump is expanding the criteria/test but it still looks like it is within the law.