On July 16, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalized a rule rescinding the 2022 Public Charge regulation. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on July 20 and will take effect on September 18, 2026. For many individuals pursuing permanent residence through employment-based immigration or family sponsorship, this change introduces greater uncertainty into the green card applica