US tightens immigration, student, and media visa policies

The Trump administration has further tightened U.S. immigration policies, impacting green-card applicants, foreign students, and journalists.

Effective September 18, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will implement a revised Form I-485 for those seeking permanent residence within the United States. This change coincides with a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule on public-charge inadmissibility, which broadens the criteria for determining if an applicant is likely to depend on government assistance. USCIS stated the new approach aims to ensure immigrants are self-sufficient.

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The new public-charge guidance gives immigration officers a broader framework for deciding whether a person applying for adjustment of status is likely to become a “public charge”, in plain English, someone who is likely to become dependent on government assistance.

Immigrants preparing to adjust their status must use the updated Form I-485, with the previous version rejected if submitted after September 18. This form is specifically for individuals already in the U.S. adjusting their status, not for those applying for immigrant visas abroad.

In parallel, DHS is altering rules for foreign students, exchange visitors, and foreign media representatives. A final rule, effective September 15, will replace the long-standing "duration of status" system with fixed admission periods and new procedures for extensions. This means students and exchange visitors will no longer automatically remain in the U.S. for the duration of their program.

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The new approach is intended to reinforce the statutory requirement that immigrants be self-sufficient rather than primarily dependent on taxpayer-funded benefits.