You do not need a green card if you would be a burden to the US government.
A green card grants permanent residency to an immigrant in the United States. But no one should get that residency if they depend on taxpayer money and use benefits like Medicaid, food stamps, housing, etc.
The Trump administration issued this new rule, which will allow immigration officials to deny a green card if they believe the applicant is likely to be dependent on the government.
What’s new Green card rules ?
- On July 16, 2026, DHS canceled the 2022 program
General charge rule It issued a new final rule. - The public charge rule allows immigration officials to deny a visa or green card if they determine that the applicant is likely to become substantially dependent on the U.S. government for financial support.
- According to DHS, the 2022 rule was inconsistent with Congress’ intent, was too restrictive, and limited officers’ ability to make accurate decisions about public charges.
- The new rule will restore broader discretion to immigration officers to assess whether an applicant is likely to become a public official.
- It will allow officers to take all relevant facts and circumstances into account when making the crucial green card decision.
- USCIS will publish a revised Form I-485. Older versions of Form I-485 submitted or postmarked on or after September 18, 2026 will not be accepted.
- The new rule will go into effect on September 18, 2026.
- Green card applicants will have to prove that they will not become a burden.
History of the new rule
The Trump administration first promoted the rule in 2018 as a way to ensure that only those who were self-sufficient came to the United States, and immigrant rights advocates criticized it, saying it amounted to a “wealth test.”The policy was first implemented in February 2020 during the first term of Trump’s presidency. But that was reversed by Joe Biden. USCIS said in a post on its X account that the federal government “reaffirms the necessity of self-reliance, protecting public resources, and ending policies that have encouraged dependence on hard-working American taxpayers.”