USCIS Virtual Listening Session on Public Charge Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) invites you to participate in a virtual listening session on Public Charge. During the sessions, we will ask for your feedback on the public charge ground of inadmissibility.
- On September 14, 2021 at 2 pm Eastern we will host a session for the general public.
- On October 5, 2021 at 2 pm Eastern we will host a session open to state, territorial, local, and tribal benefits granting agencies and nonprofit organizations.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking feedback from the public on creating a new public charge rule that is fair and consistent, while not imposing undue burdens on noncitizens seeking admission to or permanent resident status in the United States. DHS will consider the information collected from the listening session in addition to the written comments submitted to Regulations.gov by Oct. 22, 2021.
On March 9, 2021, a federal court vacated the 2019 public charge rule, under which DHS could have found certain noncitizens inadmissible if they had accessed (or were likely to access) a wide range of public benefits (such as Medicaid, food stamps, or other assistance), preventing them from being admitted to or becoming permanent residents of the United States. DHS is beginning to work on a new, more equitable policy.
On Aug. 20, 2021, DHS published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to solicit public comments, including from state, territorial, local and tribal agencies that provide public benefits, nonprofit organizations and others. DHS will use these comments to help guide public charge policy. Asking for broad input from the public is a crucial step in making sure that DHS develops public charge regulations that avoid undue fear in the immigrant community and eliminate confusion among immigrant-serving organizations, benefit-granting agencies and the public.
To register for this engagement, please follow the steps below:
- Visit the registration page provided below for the session you wish to attend to confirm your participation for the engagement.
General Public session registration page
State, territorial, local, and tribal benefits granting agencies and nonprofit organizations registration page
- Enter your email address and select “Submit.”
- Select “Subscriber Preferences.”
- Select the “Questions” tab.
- Provide your location, organization name and organization type (if applicable).
- Complete the questions and select “Submit.”
Once we process your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with additional details.
If you have any questions about the registration process, or if you have not received a confirmation email within three business days, please email us at public.engagement@uscis.dhs.gov.
We recommend joining 10 to 15 minutes before the session begins.
To request a disability accommodation, please write to public.engagement@uscis.dhs.gov at least three days before the session you registered to attend.
Note to Media: This engagement is not for press purposes. Please contact the USCIS Press Office at media@uscis.dhs.gov for any media inquiries.