The U.S. public charge rules are changing on September 18, 2026 — and the change is much broader than many immigrants realize. New Public Charge Rule September 18, 2026: Can Medicaid Hurt Your Green Card? The Department of Homeland Security is rescinding the 2022 public charge regulation and restoring broader discretion for immigration officers when deciding whether certain applicants are likely to become a public charge. The change matters most for people applying for perman

Public Charge Rule 2026: Full Breakdown, Legal Analysis, Risk Matrix & Interactive Calculator Public Charge Rule How Medicaid, SNAP, and Housing Assistance Now Affect Green Card Applicants Executive Summary The 2026 Public Charge Rule update reintroduces Medicaid, SNAP, and federal housing assistance as negative factors in green card adjudications. This does not mean automatic denial — USCIS evaluates applicants under the “totality of circumstances” framework, weighing income