My grandfather immigrated, legally, in 1899. One of the things he had to prove upon entry was that he had the means to support himself without help from taxpayers or he had a sponsor who would support him if he fell upon hard times. I don’t believe he considered the requirement ‘hateful’.
The real lowdown on this:
Foreigners here on various visas (or even illegally) who hope to ever obtain a Green Card are getting off of welfare so as to not harm their chances.
Getting people off of welfare is cutting-off the air hose for the Democrat Party and their legions of supporters holding patronage jobs in the bureaucracy.