Prove you won't take government benefits: US issues details of new Green Card rules coming into effect on September 18

USCIS published details of new Green Card rules coming into effect on September 18, 2026. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services issued new guidelines on Tuesday on how officials would determine if a Green Card applicant would become a burden on the government. "On July 16, 2026, DHS announced a final rule that rescinds the 2022 Biden-era public charge inadmissibility regulations. The final rule was formally published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2026, and goes into effect on Sept. 18, 2026. The updated guidance aligns with congressional intent that aliens in the United States be self-sufficient and not dependent on taxpayer-funded government benefits," the USCIS said.What is public charge ground of inadmissibility?Public charge is a ground of inadmissibility for a Green Card. It means that if an applicant becomes a charge on the public, they are not allowed to become a permanent resident in the US. If they rely on government benefits, which are funded by taxpayers, the US is unlikely to give them permanent residence.The USCIS has published a detailed list of which categories come under the public charge test and which are excludedWho are included in public charge testS...