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Chapter 17 - Adjudicating Public Charge Inadmissibility
ALERT: This policy guidance applies to all applicants and petitioners as of February 24, 2020. (The Supreme Court of the United States stayed the last nationwide injunction of the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds Final Rule on January 27, 2020 and stayed the statewide injunction in Illinois on February 21, 2020.) Certain classes of aliens are exempt from the public charge ground of inadmissibility (such as refugees, asylees, certain VAWA self-petitioners, U petitioners, and T applicants) and therefore, are not subject to the final rule. For more information about the classes of aliens who are exempt from the Final Rule, click here. |
Officers determine whether in the totality of the circumstances after reviewing all the factors and evidence, the alien is likely at any time to become a public charge in the future.[1]
A. Summary: Step by Step Determination of Public Charge Inadmissibility
The officer should examine all facts and circumstances of the alien’s case when evaluating inadmissibility for public charge.[2] The officer should follow the steps in the table below to determine inadmissibility.
Step |
If Yes, then … |
If No, then … |
For More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
Step 1: Is the applicant subject the public charge ground of inadmissibility? |
Go to Step 2. |
Not inadmissible based on the public charge ground. |
See Chapter 3, Applicability [8 USCIS-PM G.3] and Appendices[3] |
Step 2: Does the applicant need to submit an Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A (Form I-864 or Form I-864EZ)? |
Go to Step 3. |
Go to Step 5. |
Chapter 13, Additional Support through Sponsorship [8 USCIS-PM G.13] |
Step 3: Was the Form I-864 (or the Form I-864EZ) submitted and determined sufficient by the officer? |
Go to Step 4. |
Inadmissible based on the public charge ground. |
|
Step 4: Was the application postmarked (or, if applicable, submitted electronically) on or after February 24, 2020? |
Go to Step 5. |
See the 1999 Interim Field Guidance for adjudication. |
Chapter 1, Purpose and Background, Section C, Scope [8 USCIS-PM G.1(C)] |
Step 5: After reviewing the applicable forms[4] and documentation is the applicant likely at any time to become a public charge based on the totality of the circumstances? |
Go to Step 6. |
Not inadmissible based on the public charge ground. |
Chapter 5, Factors [8 USCIS-PM G.5] through Chapter 16, Waivers of Inadmissibility Based on Public Charge Ground [8 USCIS-PM G.16]; and Appendix: Eligibility for Public Benefits |
Step 6: Is a waiver of inadmissibility available? |
The officer should issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) to the applicant to provide an opportunity to request a waiver. |
Inadmissible based on public charge ground. Go to Step 7. |
Chapter 17, Adjudicating Public Charge Inadmissibility [8 USCIS-PM G.17] Chapter 16, Waivers of Inadmissibility Based on Public Charge Ground [8 USCIS-PM G.16] |
Step 7: Does USCIS offer the applicant for adjustment of status, who is inadmissible only on account of public charge, the opportunity to post a public charge bond? |
The officer issues a NOID, notifying the applicant that he or she may submit a public charge bond. Proceed to Step 8. |
The applicant is inadmissible on the public charge ground. The officer may issue a NOID or deny the application in accordance with USCIS policy. |
Chapter 18, Public Charge Bonds [8 USCIS-PM G.18] |
Step 8: Was a proper and suitable bond posted on behalf of the alien? |
The alien may be admitted despite the public charge ground of inadmissibility. The officer should continue with the adjudication of the application. |
The applicant is inadmissible on the public charge ground of inadmissibility. The officer should deny the application. |
Chapter 18, Public Charge Bonds [8 USCIS-PM G.18] |
B. Decision
1. Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny
If the required initial evidence submitted by the applicant does not establish eligibility or ineligibility, USCIS may request more information or evidence from the applicant in accordance with USCIS policy.[5] If a NOID is issued, the officer must explain why the negative factors outweigh the positive factors such that the applicant more likely than not to receive one or more public benefits above the designated threshold at any time in the future. If an officer is basing a decision in whole or in part on information of which the applicant is unaware or could not reasonably be expected to be aware, the officer must issue a NOID.[6]
2. Not Inadmissible Based on Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility
If, after reviewing the application and supporting evidence, the officer finds that the applicant’s positive factors outweigh the negative factors, such that the applicant is not more likely than not to receive one or more public benefits above the designated threshold at any time in the future, then the officer should determine that the applicant is not inadmissible based on the public charge ground. The officer should continue with the adjudication of the immigration benefit request.
3. Inadmissible Based on Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility
If the officer finds that the applicant’s negative factors outweigh the positive factors, such that the applicant is more likely than not to receive one or more public benefits above the designated threshold at any time in the future, then the officer should determine that the applicant is inadmissible as likely at any time to become a public charge.
In this case, the officer should determine whether the applicant may be eligible to apply for a waiver or whether to offer the applicant the opportunity to post a public charge bond.[7]
If the applicant is ineligible to apply for a waiver and USCIS has decided not to offer the applicant an opportunity to post a public charge bond, then the applicant is inadmissible on public charge grounds and therefore, ineligible for the immigration benefit and the officer may issue a NOID or deny the benefit request in accordance with USCIS policy.[8]
Waiver
If the applicant is eligible to apply for a waiver, the officer should inform the applicant through the issuance of an RFE or NOID in accordance with USCIS policy.[9] If the applicant submits a waiver and the waiver is approved, the applicant is no longer inadmissible on the public charge ground and the officer should continue with the adjudication of the immigration benefit request, in accordance with the guidance applicable to the immigration benefit.
Bond
If an applicant for adjustment of status is inadmissible based on the public charge ground, and USCIS offers, as a matter of discretion, the applicant an opportunity to post a public charge bond, [10] the officer must issue a NOID in accordance with USCIS policy.[11]
If the applicant posts the public charge bond as instructed in the NOID, the officer should continue with adjudication of the immigration benefit request, in accordance with the guidance applicable to the immigration benefit.
Footnotes
1. [^] See INA 212(a)(4) and 8 CFR 212.22.
2. [^] See INA 212(a)(4).
3. [^] See Appendix: Applicability of INA 212(a)(4) to Family-Based Adjustment of Status Applications; Appendix: Applicability of INA 212(a)(4) to Employment-Based Adjustment of Status Applications; Appendix: Applicability of INA 212(a)(4) to Special Immigrant Adjustment of Status Applications; Appendix: Applicability of INA 212(a)(4) to Refugee, Asylee, and Parolee Adjustment of Status Applications; and Appendix: Applicability of INA 212(a)(4) to Other Applicants.
4. [^] Including Form I-944, Form I-485, Forms I-864, and Form I-693.
5. [^] USCIS may also deny the benefit request for ineligibility or issue a NOID. See 8 CFR 103.2(b)(8)(iii) and Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) Chapter 10.5, Requesting Additional Information (PDF, 3.01 MB) for more information.
6. [^] See 8 CFR 103.2(b)(8)(i).
7. [^] For more information, see Chapter 16, Waivers of Inadmissibility Based on Public Charge Ground [8 USCIS-PM G.16] and Chapter 18, Public Charge Bonds [8 USCIS-PM G.18].
8. [^] See 8 CFR 103.2(b)(8)(iii) and Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) Chapter 10.5, Requesting Additional Information (PDF, 3.01 MB) for more information.
9. [^] See Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) Chapter 10.5, Requesting Additional Information (PDF, 3.01 MB) for more information.
10. [^] In accordance with 8 CFR 213.1.
11. [^] See 8 CFR 103.2(b)(8)(iii) and Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) Chapter 10.5, Requesting Additional Information (PDF, 3.01 MB) for more information.
8 CFR 212.20-212.23 - Applicability of public charge inadmissibility; Definitions; Public charge determination; Exemptions and waivers for the public charge ground of inadmissibility
8 U.S.C. 1613 - Five-year limited eligibility of qualified aliens for Federal means-tested public benefit
Final Specification of Community Programs Necessary For Protection Of Life Or Safety Under Welfare Reform Legislation, 66 FR 3613 (Jan. 16, 2001) (Final rule)
INA 213 - Admission of certain aliens on giving bond or undertaking; return upon permanent departure
INA 235 - Inspection by immigration officers; expedited removal of inadmissible arriving aliens; referral for hearing
Pub. L. 104-193 - Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996
