Department of Homeland Security Reinstates Broader Public Charge Rule, Expanding Grounds for Green Card Denials

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has finalized a new rule that rescinds a 2022 regulation, effectively making it easier for immigration officers to deny green cards to foreign nationals who are deemed likely to rely on government assistance. The new rule grants immigration officers broad discretion to consider various "case-specific factors and circumstances" when determining who qualifies as a "public charge," including the use of government safety-net programs like Medicaid, housing assistance, or food stamps.