DOS Announces Consular Officials Will NOT Apply Public Charge Rule to Visa Applicants Pursuant to Court Order

We have great news for visa applicants regarding the public charge rule. On August 7, 2020, the U.S. Department of State issued an important update explaining that the agency will be complying with the July 29^th injunction issued by a federal judge in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York which temporarily blocks the government from “enforcing, applying, implementing, or treating as effective,” the public charge rule known as “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds,” which was implemented on February 20, 2020.

As a result, effective June 29^th (the date of the Judge’s order) neither Consular officials nor the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can enforce any part of the public charge rule for any period during which there is a declared national health emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, and for as long as the injunction remains in place.

In other words, visa applicants applying for both immigrant and non-immigrant visas at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy abroad, can rest assured that Consular officials will not enforce the public charge rule known as “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds,” in any way pursuant to the Court’s ruling on June 29^th.

In their statement the Department of State made clear, “the Department is complying with the court’s order and is in the process of updating its guidance to consular officers on how to proceed under the preliminary injunction. In the interim, visa applications that appear to be ineligible under INA 212(a)(4) will be refused for administrative processing to allow for consultation with the Department, including legal review to ensure compliance with applicable court orders. Visa applicants are not requested to take any additional steps at this time and should attend their visa interviews as scheduled. Applicants are not required to complete, nor should they present the DS-5540, Public Charge Questionnaire.”

What Guidance Will Consular Officials Apply in the Absence of the Public Charge Rule?

The Department of State will not apply the February 2020 “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds Final Rule,” but will apply the 1999 public charge guidance policies that were in place before the “public charge” final rule was implemented on February 20, 2020.

Do visa applicants need to present DS-5540 at their interviews on or after June 29^th?

Absolutely not. For as long as there is a public health emergency and the injunction remains in place, applicants do not need to present the DS-5540.

Will USCIS Comply with the Court Order?

Yes. On August 4, USCIS issued its own statement explaining that it will not be “enforcing, applying, implementing, or treating as effective the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds Final Rule for any period during which there is a declared national health emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak,” pursuant to the Court’s order.

To read more about USCIS’ response, please read our blog post here.

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