No Green Card if you have used benefits like Medicaid, food stamps: Immigrants should not be burden on US

Green Card gives permanent residency to an immigrant in the US. But no one should obtain that residency if they rely on taxpayers' money and use benefits like Medicaid, food stamps, housing etc. The Trump administration issued this new rule, which will allow immigration officers to deny a Green Card if they think that the applicant is likely to be dependent on the government.

What is the new Green Card rule ?

• On July 16, 2026, DHS canceled the 2022 public charge rule and issued a new final rule.
• The public charge rule allows immigration officers to deny a visa or Green Card if they determine that an applicant is likely to become primarily dependent on the US government for financial support.
• According to DHS, the 2022 rule was inconsistent with Congress's intent, was too restrictive, and limited the officers' ability to make accurate public charge determinations.

The new rule will restore broader discretion for immigration officers to evaluate whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge.

It will allow officers to consider all relevant facts and circumstances when making the crucial Green Card decision.

USCIS will publish a revised Form I-485. The older editions of Form I-485 submitted or postmarked on or after September 18, 2026 will not be accepted.