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I-944/ Public Charge Forms- No Longer Needed

Today, we finally heard the news we were awaiting- the public charge rule is truly dead.  That means, the absolutely awful, burdensome and stressful Form I-944 is no longer necessary.  Please see below the notice from USCIS. We have several RFEs on this issue, and are relieved about this news. We thank and applaud the Biden administration for its firm leadership with sensible policies. It should be noted that taking leadership over a system that has been dismantled policy-by-policy, is not easy. I am grateful on behalf of our team, our clients and our community that this action has finally been taken. – Tahmina

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From AILA

USCIS has removed the I-944 from its webpage and provided this guidance on its public charge page:  https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/public-charge

On or after March 9, 2021, applicants and petitioners should not provide information required solely by the Public Charge Final Rule. That means that applicants for adjustment of status should not provide the Form I-944, Declaration of Self-Sufficiency, or any evidence or documentation required on that form with their Form I-485. Applicants and petitioners for extension of nonimmigrant stay and change of nonimmigrant status should not provide information related to the receipt of public benefits on Form I-129 (Part 6), Form I-129CW (Part 6), Form I-539 (Part 5), and Form I-539A (Part 3).

If an applicant or petitioner has already provided such information, and USCIS adjudicates the application or petition on or after March 9, 2021, we will not consider any information provided that relates solely to the Public Charge Final Rule, including, for example, information provided on the Form I-944, evidence or documentation submitted with Form I-944, and information on the receipt of public benefits on Form I-129 (Part 6), Form I-129CW (Part 6), Form I-539 (Part 5), and Form I-539A (Part 3).

If you received a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) requesting information that is solely required by the Public Charge Final Rule, including but not limited to Form I-944, and your response is due on or after March 9, 2021, you do not need to provide the information solely required by the Public Charge Final Rule. However, you need to respond to the aspects of the RFE or NOID that otherwise pertain to the eligibility for the immigration benefit you are seeking. If USCIS requires additional information or evidence to make a public charge inadmissibility determination under the statute and consistent with the 1999 Interim Field Guidance, we will send you another RFE or NOID. For information about the relevant court decisions, please see the litigation summary.