AABANY's Issues & Immigration Committees Present: Public Charge: What We Need to Know [CLE]

9/17/2026

Event Details

Major changes to the federal government’s public charge policies take effect on September 18, 2026, and will significantly affect how immigration officers evaluate whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge. The new USCIS framework expands the range of public benefits that may be considered and places greater emphasis on an individualized “totality of the circumstances” assessment, including an applicant’s age, health, family circumstances, financial resources, education, and skills. USCIS has also issued new guidance concerning public charge bonds and the evidence officers may consider in adjustment-of-status cases. To read more about this policy, click here. At the same time, the Department of State has intensified public charge screening in the consular process, including consideration of an applicant’s ability to meet living and medical expenses and the use of public charge bonds in certain immigrant visa cases.  This program will explain the changing public charge landscape and what attorneys, immigrant families, and community organizations need to know. Topics will include who is subject to and exempt from the public charge ground of inadmissibility; which public benefits may be considered; the role of health, income, family circumstances, and the Affidavit of Support; changes affecting adjustment-of-status and consular cases; public charge bonds; and practical considerations for advising clients under the new rules. The program will also address areas of uncertainty as the government begins implementing these significant changes. Costs:  Zoom : No cost In-person with CLE : Free for AABANY Members; $50 for nonmembers In-person with NO CLE : No cost