What is “public charge”?
“Public charge” is a term used by the US Citizendhip and Immigration Services (USCIS) and consular officers. The term describes persons who cannot support themselves and who depend on public benefits like CaIWORKs or SSI. Depending on your immigration status, the USCIS can refuse to let you enter the U.S., reenter the U.S., or become a permanent resident, if they think you will not be able to support yourself and that you will rely on public benefits in the future.
Related Questions
- The immigration and naturalization service issued rules that immigrants or aliens receiving Medicaid will not be subject to the "Public Charge" provisions. Do these rules also apply to SCHIP enrollees?
- What is a "public charge" and how will it affect my ability to become a legal permanent resident?
- What is "public charge"?
