USCIS Publishes Public Charge Fact Sheet
The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently published a Public Charge Fact Sheet to inform the general public what is meant by a public charge and the types of benefits that non-U.S. citizens can apply for without jeopardizing their lawful permanent resident (green card) status and/or their eligibility to pursue it.
Both the immigration and welfare laws have created some confusion as to whether or not a non-U.S. citizen could face immigration consequences by virtue of receiving federal, state, or local public welfare benefits.
In fact, non-U.S. citizens and their families are eligible for certain public benefits such as, disaster relief, treatment of communicable diseases, immunizations, plus children’s nutrition and health care programs.
The immigration law defines “public charge” as an individual who is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for subsistence, as shown by either the receipt of public cash assistance for income maintenance, or institutionalization for long-term care at government expense.
In these tough economic times, more and more individuals both U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens alike have been faced with having to turn to the public welfare system and applying for benefits.
For more information on the types of benefits that are both subject and not subject to public charge consideration, click on the above fact sheet.
