Public Charge Rule Expansion (Sept 18)
Key Questions
What does USCIS PM-602-0199 change for adjustment of status?
It makes AOS discretionary, affecting approximately 700,000 applicants and increasing scrutiny for marriage-based cases.
What is the new rule on asylum interviews?
USCIS can now skip interviews for nonmeritorious cases among the 444K pending applications past the one-year deadline.
How has the visa bulletin changed for India EB categories?
EB-1 India retrogressed to October 2022 and EB-2 India remains unavailable, with further retrogression expected.
What is the impact of ending Duration of Status for student visas?
F, J, and I visas now have fixed stays (4 years for students), with a 30-day grace period and transition rules effective September 15.
What fee increase was proposed for N-400 applications?
The naturalization fee is proposed to rise to $1,330 with comments due by August 24.
What is the status of the public charge rule revival?
The final rule rescinding Biden-era limits takes effect September 18 and requires a revised I-485 form.
How many family green card cases are pending in Florida?
Florida leads with over 55,000 pending cases as the nationwide backlog reaches a record 543,000.
What expansion of visa revocation powers has occurred?
The executive branch has broadened revocation authority including the 75-country pause and social media vetting amid ongoing lawsuits.
New public charge rule takes effect Sept 18 with broad 'totality of circumstances' test, bond amounts up to $53K. New I-485 form edition with no grace period, expected rejections. USCIS issued official guidance. Chilling effect confirmed by expert testimony and new study linking 2018 rule to 16.8% rise in HIV among Hispanics in antisanctuary counties. Legal challenges likely. New practical guide published.