US toughens green card eligibility under new public charge test

The United States will tighten its public charge assessment for certain green card applicants starting September 18, 2026, under updated guidance from US Citizenship and Immigration Services, according to a PUNCH report.

Officers will weigh five statutory factors—age, health, family status, assets and financial status, and education—when determining if an applicant is likely to depend on government assistance. The policy follows a Department of Homeland Security rule rescinding 2022 regulations. Exemptions remain for refugees, asylees, trafficking victims and VAWA self-petitioners.

USCIS said it will also continue requiring public charge bonds for applicants found inadmissible solely on that ground.