FAQs on Form I-944 and Public Charge Rule

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When does the new rule take effect?

The new I-944 rule applies to Adjustment of Status applications postmarked on or after February 24, 2020. Permanent residence (green card) applicants who are being interviewed at a consular post outside the US will need to use Form DS-5540. However, this form may not be needed for foreign nationals who sent their documents to NVC before February 24, 2020.

What is DHS looking for?

DHS (US Department of Homeland Security) is trying to figure out whether someone is "likely at any time to become a public charge”, and therefore is inadmissible. If DHS decides that the foreign national is "more likely than not, at any time in the future, to receive one or more of the [listed] public benefits..... for more than 12 months, in total, within any 36-month period", they can be denied.

Who is affected by the public charge rule?

Apart from the categories that are exempt (below), and people who got permanent residence before February 24, 2020, most people are affected. The public charge ground of inadmissibility applies to people who are:

• Applying for permanent residence or temporary (nonimmigrant) visas at a consulate;
• Applying to enter the US (at land border or airport) on immigrant or nonimmigrant visas; and 
• Applying for Adjustment of Status within the US.  

What about people doing an extension or change of status in the US?

DHS (US Department of Homeland Security) has revised this provision and no longer considers the future likelihood of public benefits. Instead, DHS will only consider whether the foreign national has received designated benefits for more than 12 months in the aggregate within a 36-month period since obtaining the nonimmigrant status they wish to extend or change, up until the time of adjudication of the extension of stay or change of status request.

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