Posted by Angela Cifor on Wednesday, 18 March 2020 in ... may be concerned about applying for and receiving unemployment benefits and potentially subjecting themselves to the “public charge” ground of inadmissibility in light of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) new and more restrictive … First, many noncitizens are exempt from or eligible for a waiver of public charge determinations, including refugees, asylees, T and U nonimmigrant visa applicants, Afghan and Iraqi special visa interpreters, special immigrant juveniles, and most self-petitioners under the Violence Against Women Act, among others.

Notably absent from this list are state-funded programs and unemployment insurance. remains available for your call. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Immigrants seeking admission or adjustment of status as immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, family based preferences, and certain employment based preferences must provide this affidavit of support. Workers, in turn, have the option to apply for unemployment benefits to support themselves through these uncertain and difficult times. We will be watching this forum throughout Coronavirus/Covid emergencies to post information and to answer your questions about affected US immigration and visas: https://forums.immigration.com/forums/visa-issues-during-coronavirus-covid-19-times.273/. Some classes of immigrants are not subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility. To be eligible for unemployment benefits, noncitizen workers have to meet the same requirements as U.S. citizen workers. The answer is "No", you are not exempt from the public charge ground of inadmissibility.

I own my car and my husband has an loaned car.

Where the public charge ground of inadmissibility does not apply. Public Charge: Declaration of Self-Sufficiency (Form I-944) and Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA (Form I-864).

An immigrant is a “public charge” if it is likely that he will become dependent upon the government for assistance, either in the form of monetary payments or through institutionalization at the government’s expense. Im filing form i944 page 3 household income. To address the possibility that some aliens impacted by COVID-19 may be hesitant to seek necessary medical treatment or preventive services, USCIS will not consider testing, treatment, or preventative care (including vaccines, if a vaccine becomes available) related to COVID-19 as part of a public charge inadmissibility determination. Unemployment Benefits Are Exempt from Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility, Attorney General Releases Two Decisions Limiting Eligibility for Immigration Relief based on Criminal History. Our professional staff speaks English, Spanish, Korean, and Portuguese and we can arrange for translators in any other language. 16256 Military Rd., Suite 209 The list of public benefits considered [in the new public charge rule] includes most forms of federally funded Medicaid (for those over 21), but does not include CHIP, or State, local, or tribal public health care services/assistance that are not funded by federal Medicaid. It then states "To determine if you are exempt from the public charge ground of inadmissibility, and therefore exempt from filing Form I-944, read the Form I-485 Instructions, What Evidence Must You Submit, Item Number 9. Although unemployment benefits are not counted against noncitizens for purposes of the public charge analysis, noncitizen workers must still ensure they meet state eligibility requirements before applying. I can answer yes or no.

The support may also come from a sponsor who is willing to financially assist the immigrant. Those factors are age, health, family status, assets, resources, financial status, education and skills, and any receipt of publicly funded benefits. If you have questions about this or any other immigration matter, Kolko & Casey, P.C. Unemployment Benefits Are Exempt from Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility. What should be my answer for … read more As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves in the United States, many employers are making the difficult decision to lay off workers. No, 8843 is not a tax return. 303 East 17th Avenue Suite 585 Denver, Colorado 80203, Call us today: 303-371-1822Fax:303-373-1822, © 2020 Kolko & Casey, P.C. The government determines if a sponsor earns enough based on the “poverty guidelines.”  The poverty guidelines provide a breakdown of the amount the sponsor must earn based on the number of individuals to be supported. Background On August 14, 2019, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule relating to the public charge ground of inadmissibility. How is COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Affecting Immigration? JavaScript is disabled. Fluent in 7 languages. The sponsor must be willing be provide support for the immigrant and his family for up to ten years or until the immigrant becomes a United States citizen.

If a noncitizen is found to be inadmissible as a public charge, he or she is not eligible to become a lawful permanent resident and receive a “green card.”.

1040 or 1040NR would be a tax return. Clearly, the government is concerned about allowing immigrants into the country who are unable to support themselves, thus burdening public resources. Bring Your Fiance to the US with a K-1 Visa, How Twitter Ruined Any Chance For Immigration Reform, 79-year-old Man Demonstrates Commitment to Dreamers. Under INA § 212(a)(4), any immigrant who is likely to become a “public charge” is inadmissible at the time of application. Certain classes of aliens are exempt from the public charge ground of inadmissibility (such as refugees, asylees, certain VAWA self-petitioners, U petitioners, and T applicants) and therefore, are not subject to the Final Rule. In Colorado, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment website provides excellent information on eligibility for unemployment benefits. Angela Cifor is a Senior Associate Attorney at Kolko & Casey, P.C. Disclaimer | Sitemap. On the form i485 they ask if you are exempt from the public charge ground of inadimissibility.

On the form i485 they ask if you are exempt from the public charge ground of inadimissibility. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The public charge inadmissibility ground does not apply to all applicants who are seeking a visa, admission, or adjustment of status. For more information about the classes of aliens who are exempt from the Final Rule, see the appendices related to applicability. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. We wish you and those you love health and safety during these trying times. On form I 944 says that I can not add my car if my house household doesn’t own a second car. I live in the us for 2.5 years. Noncitizens may be concerned about applying for and receiving unemployment benefits and potentially subjecting themselves to the “public charge” ground of inadmissibility in light of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) new and more restrictive analysis. Some immigrants are required to provide an affidavit of support (Form I-864) from a sponsor. Additionally, those applying for student visas must show their education and living expenses will be fully financed without having to work. This rule would apply to cases decided by U.S. Family Based Green Card -Through Marriage/Relative. The final decision rests on a “totality of the circumstances” based on all the information provided by the immigrant. In October of 2019 USCIS, DHS published a final version of the ‘Public Charge’ rule, officially titled “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds”, which will be effective from February 24, 2020. But even after reading again and again the instructions I am not sure about the correct answer (the word exempt followed by the word inadimissibility is making me very confused).

Not now and not in the future. A sponsor is required to demonstrate that he annually earns at least 125% of the income needed for his own family in addition to the immigrant/immigrant's family that he is supporting. These requirements vary by state. Therefore, the law requires that many visa applicants prove they can support themselves financially upon arrival to the United States.

Second, for those noncitizens to whom the public charge ground of inadmissibility applies, as noted above, receipt of unemployment insurance is not a public benefit under the new public charge rule.