U.S. Green Card Rules Tighten with Broader Public Charge Assessment and September Visa Limits
Effective September 18, U.S. immigration officers will have expanded discretion to deny certain green card and admission applications if they determine an applicant is likely to become a 'public charge.' This change rescinds the 2022 public charge regulation, which had narrower criteria for assessing dependency on government support. The new approach allows officers to consider a wider range of means-tested benefits received from the effective date, as well as other information relevant to an individual's case, such as age, health, family circumstances, income, assets, education, qualifications, and employment skills. While a secure job and salary remain helpful evidence, they will not be the sole determining factors. Additionally, there are specific September pressures for employers and applicants, including a mandatory change to Form I-485 and limited employment-based visa availability. The Department of Homeland Security has implemented this change despite a legal challenge filed by a coalition of state...
