Green Card alert: Indian applicants to face fresh hurdles under new rule, here's what you need to know
- On Tuesday, USCIS issued new guidance allowing officers to consider whether an applicant's relatives have used social service programs when determining public charge admissibility for green card applicants.
- The Trump administration stated the change protects American taxpayers, replacing 2022 rules established during the Biden administration that had taken a narrower approach to public charge determinations.
- Officers will evaluate admissibility using five factors: age, health, education, skills, and family financial status. Officials confirmed applicants may still post a public charge bond to secure approval.
- Spouses, children, and parents of immigrants are now subject to the guidance, while refugees, asylum seekers, human trafficking victims, and special immigrant juveniles remain exempt from public charge requirements.
- USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler said the agency is "committed to safeguarding the safety, security, and financial well-being of Americans," citing the Immigration and Nationality Act regarding aliens likely to become public charges.
19 Articles
19 Articles
US issues details of new Green Card rules effective from September 18
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating Form I-485 for permanent residence, effective September 18, 2026, with no grace period for older versions. This change, aligning with public-charge inadmissibility rules, significantly impacts Green Card applicants, particularly Indian nationals facing visa backlogs, who must use the correct form version to avoid rejection.
The Hindu Business Line
LatestlyUS issues details of new Green Card rules coming into effect from September 18
New guidelines emphasise the importance of submission dates, with USCIS warning that outdated forms will be rejected, impacting many Indian nationals amid ongoing visa backlogs
US issues details of new Green Card rules coming into effect from September 18 - The Tribune
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will issue an updated Form I-485 for Green Card applications on September 18 to align with new public charge rules. Applicants must use the new edition for postmarks on or after that date, as older versions will be rejected without a grace period.
Trump’s public charge rule threatens food, health safety nets - Los Angeles Wave Newspaper Group
By Sunita Sohrabji Contributing Writer SAN FRANICSCO — Even before it takes effect on Sept. 18, the Trump administration’s reimplementation of its public charge rule has caused thousands to drop off critical federal safety net programs. These include Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Plan and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The updated public charge rule was announced in late July. It gives greater leeway to immigration of…
The Independent
The Independent (US)Green card applicants to face more scrutiny linked to healthcare and social services
The new framework replaces 2022 rules put in place during the Biden administration
US green card rules change from September 18: What Indians need to know
New US Green Card rules take effect on September 18, 2026, bringing broader scrutiny under the public charge test. USCIS will assess factors including income, health, age, family situation, assets, education and skills.
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