The immigration policies in the United States are often difficult to keep up with. One rule that’s going to make a big difference for some applicants seeking admission into the United States is known as the public charge rule. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has recently published new forms for the 12 immigration processes that are affected by the public charge rule.
This rule is one that is meant to prevent people who rely on public assistance from coming into the U.S. The change applies to any applicants that are postmarked on or after Feb. 24, 2020. Because the guidelines are complex, anyone who is concerned about their admissibility based on this point should work with someone familiar with the rules.
What’s the purpose of the rule?
This immigration rule is meant to prevent applicants from coming into the country if they’re likely going to need to rely on public assistance programs while they’re here. It looks at what types of non-cash programs the person has relied on since Oct. 15, 2019, to determine the likelihood that they will need them once they arrive in this country.
When does the rule apply?
It applies to many forms of applications, including those for shifting an immigration status to lawful permanent resident and those for extending a stay for current visa stays. The rule doesn’t apply to people who are seeking asylum, refugees and people who are seeking protection under the Violence Against Women Act. It also doesn’t apply to certain people who are applying for U and T visas. It won’t apply to people who are already permanent residents who are applying or naturalization.
Remember, this is only one thing that might lead to you being considered inadmissible into the U.S. When you’re applying to come into the country or to change your status, you should be aware of all the various guidelines that apply. This will alert you to any potential issues that you might face, but you should never try to skirt around them.
You must always be truthful in the information you provide on applications because being untruthful can lead to a denial. Understanding current guidelines and laws is beneficial so that you can plan to address them during the application process.
