Legal Permanent Residency Becomes More Challenging as New Public Charge Rule Goes Into Effect

As a result of a January U.S. Supreme Court 5-4 vote to remove a nationwide injunction blocking the enhanced Public Charge Rule, beginning on Feb. 24, USCIS will implement its Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds Final Rule. The new rule aims to make it easier for the government to deny legal permanent residency to immigrants “likely to use public benefits” and will become effective nationwide, except in Illinois where the rule remains enjoined by a federal court.