US To Tighten Green Card Public Charge Assessment

The United States is set to tighten its assessment of the public charge requirement for certain green card applicants from September 18, 2026, following updated guidance issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The updated guidance, published on the USCIS website and sighted by reporters on Wednesday, explains how immigration officers will determine whether an applicant seeking to adjust status to lawful permanent residence is likely to become a public charge at any time.
A public charge generally refers to an immigrant considered likely to become primarily dependent on government assistance for support.
Under the new policy, officers will consider five statutory fac...