February 26, 2020

USCIS to Implement Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds as of February 24, 2020

On February 24, 2020, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will implement the agency’s new rules for inadmissibility on public charge grounds.

The final rule outlines some of the criteria on how the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) will determine whether a foreign national is inadmissible to adjust status from a non-immigrant (including foreign nationals who have entered the United States on K-1 fiancé/fiancée visas) to a lawful permanent resident because the foreign national is likely to become a public charge.

The new requirements indicate that legal immigrants who have received public benefits such as Supplemental Security Income, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, and public housing assistance for more than a total of 12 out of 36 months from being ineligible for permanent residency. In addition to the public benefits criteria, DHS may also look at the health, educational background, and number of applicants adjusting status to determine whether the applicant(s) are likely to become a public charge in the future.

The new rule will not affect those who currently have lawful permanent resident status (green cards).

Within the last few days the U.S. Department of State has followed with its own criteria to be implemented; therefore, the new rule may affect individuals and their families from being able to obtain green cards in the U.S. as well as those applying for immigrant visas at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

For more information on the new public charge rule, contact us and schedule a consultation session with a U.S. immigration lawyer in Ho Chi Minh City, Manila and Taipei.

ENTERLINE & PARTNERS CONSULTING

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Office
Ad: 3F, IBC building, 1A Cong Truong Me Linh Str., District 1, HCMC, Vietnam
Tel: +84 933 301 488
Email: info@enterlinepartners.com
Facebook: Enterline and Partners-Đầu Tư Định Cư tại Mỹ
Website: http://enterlinepartners.com

Manila, Philippines Office
Ad: Unit 2507 Cityland 10 Tower 1, 156 H.V. Dela Costa Street, Makati City, Philippines 1209
Tel: +632 5310 1491
Email: info@enterlinepartners.com
Facebook: Enterline and Partners Philippines
Website: https://enterlinepartners.com/language/en/welcome/

Categories: Green Card, New Rules, Non-immigrant Visa, Public Charge, US Department of State, US Visa, USCIS, USCIS Policy, Visa

Is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa for the U.S. a Secure Path to a Green Card?

Distinguishing U.S. Immigrant Visa Categories: Family, Employment, and Investment

DOS Will Now Require Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants to Interview in Place of Residence or Country of Nationality

U.S. State Department Stiffens the Bar on Immigrant Visas for Communist Party Members

our services

contact us today for more information

Latest News

Can the Intending Immigrant Help the Sponsor Meet the Income Requirements?

In family-based immigration cases, a central component of this process is the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support (“I-864”). This legally binding contract is required to demonstrate that the intending immigrant (the “Beneficiary”) has adequate financial support from the sponsoring family member (the “Sponsor”) through income and/or assets, and therefore the Beneficiary is unlikely to become a public charge (rely on government welfare for support). Through the completion of Form I-864, the Sponsor assumes substantial financial obligations enforceable under U.S. law. If the Sponsor does not have enough income or assets, under certain conditions, the Beneficiary’s income or assets may be used to help meet the Sponsor’s financial requirement. If the Beneficiary is the Sponsor’s spouse, their income may be counted if it will continue from the same source after obtaining lawful permanent resident status. If the Beneficiary is another relative, such as a child, parent or brother or sister, two

Is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa for the U.S. a Secure Path to a Green Card?

The United States continues to be a top destination for individuals seeking world-class healthcare, top-tier education, and a stable environment for business and investment. For many individuals and families, investment-based immigration offers a convenient opportunity to secure lawful permanent residency in the United States. Among the various investment-based immigration options, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is the most well-known and widely used. Essentially, it offers a direct path to U.S. Lawful Permanent Residence and a green card in exchange for a qualifying investment that contributes to the U.S. economy and creates American jobs. But for all its benefits, the EB-5 program isn’t without complexity or risk. In this article, the attorneys at Enterline & Partners break down what makes an EB-5 visa secure, where the potential pitfalls lie, and how to approach this immigration pathway with confidence. What is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa? The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa is

Distinguishing U.S. Immigrant Visa Categories: Family, Employment, and Investment

When people think of U.S. immigration, the first thing that comes to mind oftentimes is Lawful Permanent Residence (“Green Card.”) However, the journey to permanent residency is not a one-size-fits-all road. The Green Card system can be divided into several visa categories, each with its own purpose, requirements, and process. Knowing how these categories differ is a must and making the right choice may shorten waiting times, avoid unnecessary setbacks, and help immigrant visa applicants and their families achieve their long-term goals. In 2025, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) rolled out updates that streamlined certain steps while adding new layers of review in others. In this article, we will walk through the three main options: family-based; employment-based; and investment-based immigrant visas, enabling you to understand the differences and see where recent changes may affect your path forward. The Main Types of U.S. Immigrant Visas There are several

USCIS to Implement Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds as of February 24, 2020

CATEGORY

contact us today for more information

Latest News