USCIS Public Charge_Welfare Fact Sheet

USCIS_Immigration_Green Card_Public Charge_Welfare Fact Sheet
Released April 29, 2011 Introduction Public charge has been part of
U.S. immigration law for more than 100 years as a ground of
inadmissibility and deportation. An individual who is likely at any
time to become a public charge is inadmissible to the United States
and ineligible to become a legal permanent resident. However,
receiving public benefits does not automatically make an individual
a public charge. This fact sheet provides information about public
charge determinations to help noncitizens make informed choices
about whether to apply for certain public benefits. Background
Under Section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(INA), an individual seeking admission to the United States or
seeking to adjust status to permanent resident (obtaining a green
card) is inadmissible if the individual at the time of application
for admission or adjustment of status, is likely at any time to
become a public charge. If an individual is inadmissible, admission
to the United States or adjustment of status will not be granted.
Immigration and welfare laws have generated some concern about
whether a noncitizen may face adverse immigration consequences for
having received federal, state, or local public benefits. Some
noncitizens and their familiesRead more