Immigration Law Is All About Family

Change to public charge rule could help with adjustment of status

On Behalf of | Apr 16, 2021 | Immigration Law

Many people living in Colorado come from different countries. You may have moved to the United States years ago for job opportunities, to be with family or for a myriad of other reasons. Over time, you may have come to feel that the U.S. is your home, and you want to adjust your immigration status to a legal permanent resident.

Taking this step is exciting, but it can also be confusing. Numerous immigration laws could play into your case, and those laws constantly undergo changes, making the process even more perplexing. However, some of those changes could make it easier for you to apply for an adjustment of status and possibly obtain an approval.

Public charge rule

One change that recently took place that could affect your application relates to the public charge rule. Under the previous presidential administration, the public charge rule required green card applicants to provide a form showing their self-sufficiency. In other words, the applicants would provide evidence showing that they do not use government benefits, such as food stamps, and would likely not need such assistance in the future. This rule made it more difficult for low-income individuals to gain the permanent residency they desired.

However, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently decided that the strict public charge rule implemented under the previous presidential administration will no longer apply to individuals applying for permanent residency. Instead, the stipulations for that rule will revert to the version implemented in 1999, which did not consider using government benefits as a public charge.

Moving forward with confidence

You and many other individuals hoping to change your immigration status may have hesitated to apply due to the previous public charge rule, or you may have forgone government assistance, like public housing or food stamps, because you thought it would negatively affect your immigration case in the future. Thankfully, that is no longer the case.

If you feel that the time has come to pursue permanent residency in the United States, gaining information on the application process, your legal rights and your options could prove useful to you. It may also be prudent to keep in mind that you could obtain assistance with your application if needed. The right information could set you up to apply for a green card with confidence.