Public charge rules are changing, and officers get more discretion

2026-07-20 · Border Crossing Law Firm · From the Border Crossing Law Firm media archive.

DHS is rescinding the 2022 public charge regulation. The practical effect is that immigration officers get back broad discretion to decide whether someone is likely to become primarily dependent on the government — the narrower, more predictable 2022 standard goes away. The rule also revises how public charge bonds are breached and cancelled.