USCIS to require new Form I-485 for green card applications from September 18

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is implementing a significant change to the application process for a green card within the United States. Starting September 18, a new edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, will be mandatory. USCIS announced that any previous versions of the form submitted by mail with a postmark of September 18 or later, or filed electronically on or after that date, will be rejected. This update signifies a shift in how the U.S. government evaluates potential immigrants' reliance on public assistance. The new regulation replaces the Biden administration's 2022 public charge rule, returning to a more comprehensive assessment of applicants' personal and economic circumstances. USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler stated, "The Trump administration upholds the rule of law and protects American taxpayers from subsidizing aliens who may become dependent on public benefits." He added, "The agency is committed to safeguarding the financial security and well-being of Americans." The primary modification involves an expansion of the data applicants must provide. The updated form will include questions about the receipt of means-tested public benefits, which will be used in the immigration evaluation. Previously, the assessment focused mainly on cash assistance for income maintenance and state-funded long-term institutionalization. The new rule broadens the scope of public programs that immigration authorities may consider. Furthermore, officials will conduct an individual review of each case, taking into account various personal factors to determine the likelihood of a future reliance on government assistance. This revised approach grants immigration officers greater discretion in assessing an applicant's self-sufficiency.

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The Trump administration upholds the rule of law and protects American taxpayers from subsidizing aliens who may become dependent on public benefits. The agency is committed to safeguarding the financial security and well-being of Americans.