New Public Charge Rules

In August 2019, the Department of Homeland Security proposed new “public charge” rules for certain immigrants applying to become permanent residents in the United States, and for people applying for admission to the United States. A “public charge” is someone who depends primarily on the government to meet his or her basic needs. The government intends to use the new rules to determine whether a person is likely to become a public charge in the future, and if so, prevent them from receiving a green card or being admitted to the U.S. The “public charge” rules will affect the majority of individuals applying for adjustment of status, with exceptions for those applying based on U, T, VAWA or asylee status.

The new public charge rules were delayed in the court system, but they are now scheduled to take effect on February 24, 2020. The Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs published a list of Frequently Asked Questions to help clarify some of the most common inquiries about the rules. If you have specific questions about your case, please call our office for a consultation.