India, Sept. 16 -- Indian nationals applying for Green Cards through adjustment of status will face a changed public-charge assessment from September 18, when updated US immigration guidance takes effect. The new guidance allows US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers to consider a broader range of means-tested public benefits when deciding whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge.

USCIS issued the updated Policy Manual guidance on August 18, following a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule that rescinds the 2022 public-charge regulations. The DHS rule was published in the Federal Register on July 20 and takes effect September 18.

USCIS said officers must consider five statutory factors when ...