USCIS Reaffirms Public Charge Inadmissibility Guidance

In early September 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a Policy Memorandum (PM-602-0190) reaffirming its guidance on public charge inadmissibility determinations under Section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) USCIS.

What Changed

USCIS is reminding its officers to stick closely to the law when deciding if someone might become a “public charge”- that is, someone likely to depend on government benefits. Officers must consider things like the applicant’s health, family situation, income, education, and job skills. They must also pay close attention to whether a proper Affidavit of Support has been filed, which is the financial promise a sponsor makes to support the applicant.

Why It Matters

For applicants, this means you should show clear proof that you can support yourself or that you have a reliable sponsor who can do so. For sponsors, it means the affidavit must be filled out correctly and backed up with solid financial evidence. For lawyers and families, it is a reminder that thorough paperwork can make or break the case. This memo is less about changing the rules and more about enforcing the existing rules carefully and consistently.

Why We Care

At AIILP, we highlight updates like this because public charge rules affect family unity and legal immigration opportunities. By tracking these policies, we help families and practitioners better understand what evidence is important and how to present it. In simple terms: the government is doubling down on making sure applicants and their sponsors can prove financial stability, and we want to make sure people are prepared for that.