El USCIS publica directrices actualizadas sobre las normas relativas a la «carga pública»

Kris Quadros-Ragar • August 27, 2026

Click here to read this article in English


El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos (USCIS por sus siglas en inglés) ha publicado directrices actualizadas en las que se detalla cómo evaluarán los funcionarios la inadmisibilidad por «carga pública» de las personas que soliciten la tarjeta de residencia mediante el ajuste de estatus.


Esta actualización se produce a raíz de una norma definitiva del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS por sus siglas en inglés) que deroga la normativa sobre «carga pública» de 2022. La nueva política entrará en vigor el 18 de septiembre de 2026 y se aplicará a todas las solicitudes de tarjeta verde (formulario I-485) con matasellos o presentadas a partir de esa fecha.


¿Quiénes están sujetos a la norma sobre la carga pública?


La mayoría de los solicitantes de la tarjeta verde por motivos familiares o laborales estarán sujetos al motivo de inadmisibilidad por «carga pública». Esto incluye a los cónyuges, hijos y padres de ciudadanos estadounidenses o residentes permanentes legales, así como a la mayoría de las categorías preferentes de visados de trabajo, a los inversores y a los solicitantes de visados de diversidad.


Ciertas categorías siguen estando expresamente exentas en virtud de la legislación en materia de inmigración. Entre ellas se incluyen:


  • Asilados y refugiados


  • Víctimas de la trata de personas (visado T) o de delitos (visado U)


  • Solicitantes autónomos en virtud de la Ley contra la Violencia hacia las Mujeres (VAWA)


  • Menores inmigrantes especiales


  • Solicitantes del Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS)


  • Determinados solicitantes relacionados con el ámbito militar y otros grupos humanitarios designados


Cómo tomará sus decisiones el USCIS


Los funcionarios del USCIS evaluarán si es probable que un solicitante se convierta en una carga pública, analizando el conjunto de sus circunstancias caso por caso. Entre los factores clave se incluyen:


  • Cinco factores legales: edad, salud, situación familiar, patrimonio y recursos económicos, y formación o cualificaciones.


  • Declaración jurada de manutención: presentación del formulario I-864 firmado por un patrocinador.


  • Uso de prestaciones públicas: el USCIS tendrá en cuenta las prestaciones públicas sujetas a condiciones de recursos, como las ayudas en efectivo para el mantenimiento de los ingresos, las ayudas a la vivienda, los cupones de alimentos (SNAP) o las ayudas económicas para estudios universitarios.


Nota sobre los plazos: En el caso de las prestaciones recibidas antes del 18 de septiembre de 2026, el USCIS solo tendrá en cuenta las ayudas públicas en efectivo destinadas al mantenimiento de los ingresos y la institucionalización a largo plazo a cargo del Estado.


Para las prestaciones recibidas a partir del 18 de septiembre de 2026, se aplicará la consideración más amplia de todas las prestaciones sujetas a condiciones de recursos que figuran en la lista.


Fianzas por carga pública


Si un funcionario determina que un solicitante es inadmisible únicamente por motivos de carga pública, el USCIS puede emitir una Notificación de intención de denegación en la que se invite al solicitante a depositar una fianza por carga pública mediante el formulario I-945. Si el solicitante invitado deposita con éxito el importe en efectivo o la fianza de garantía requeridos, el USCIS puede aprobar la solicitud de residencia permanente. Las fianzas por carga pública solo pueden presentarse si el USCIS lo solicita expresamente.



El bufete de abogados Santos Lloyd seguirá de cerca la evolución de la situación en materia de inmigración y ofrecerá información actualizada a medida que se den a conocer más detalles sobre su aplicación. Para obtener más información, acceda a:

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-issues-guidance-on-making-public-charge-inadmissibility-determination 

Este blog no pretende ser una asesoría legal y nada aquí debe interpretarse como el establecimiento de una relación abogado-cliente. Programe una consulta con un abogado de inmigración antes de actuar sobre cualquier información que aquí lea.

Kris Quadros-Ragar

Flavia Santos Lloyd Named to the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation

By Santos Lloyd Team • October 8, 2026
Santos Lloyd Law Firm takes great pride in announcing that Partner Flavia Santos Lloyd has been invited to join the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation. As a highly selective global network, the organization recognizes legal professionals across both the public and private sectors who embody the absolute highest standards of the practice. Admission to this distinguished group highlights Flavia’s outstanding legal career, professional integrity, and deep impact on the legal community. Our team celebrates Flavia on this well-deserved recognition!

UPDATE: Federal Court Postpones DHS Rule Eliminating “Duration of Status” (D/S)

By Juliana LaMendola • September 22, 2026
On September 14, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a nationwide preliminary injunction in Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security , halting the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule that was scheduled to eliminate “duration of status” (D/S) on September 15, 2026. As a result of this nationwide order, DHS is blocked from enforcing fixed periods of admission for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I media representatives while the litigation moves forward. Because the current “duration of status” framework remains in full effect, F, J, and I visa holders are not required to file Form I-539 extension of stay applications to remain in valid status beyond program end dates at this time. Furthermore, restrictions on academic transfers, constraints on enrolling in second programs at the same degree level, 240-day caps on continued employment while extensions are pending, and shortened grace periods do not apply during the injunction. F-1 nonimmigrants retain the full 60-day post-completion grace period, and J-1 holders maintain their 30-day grace period. However, please note that this preliminary injunction is not a final ruling invalidating the rule , and a status conference is scheduled for October 2, 2026, to determine next steps in the litigation. Immediate Practice Tips: Inspect I-94 Travel Records Upon Reentry: F, J, and I visa holders currently admitted under D/S retain their status and should continue to be readmitted under D/S following international travel until the injunction is lifted. However, because the I-94 record controls legal stay, travelers must inspect their CBP-issued Form I-94 immediately upon reentry to confirm the "Admit Until Date" states "D/S" rather than a specific expiration date. If a specific date is mistakenly recorded, contact a local CPB Deferred Inspection Site. Notify HR and Review Workplace Compliance: Employers sponsoring F-1 or J-1 employees should inform HR and hiring managers that the September 15 fixed-period rule is postponed and standard D/S rules govern. This development does not alter standard filing windows or Form I-9 verification procedures for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT extensions.  Maintain Operational Readiness and Defer Unnecessary Filings: Visa holders and employers should defer travel or filing strategy decisions made solely in anticipation of the fixed-admission rule. Because DHS may appeal or the court could alter the timeline on short notice, institutions and visa holders should maintain readiness to adjust plans if implementation resumes. There are many evolving components to this litigation. If you are an F-1, J-1, or I visa holder, sponsoring institution, or employer, you should proactively coordinate with your international student office and legal counsel to protect your status and monitor upcoming court proceedings.

DHS Final Rule Eliminating “Duration of Status” (D/S): Practice Tips and Transition Procedures

By Juliana LaMendola • September 3, 2026
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published its final rule eliminating the longstanding "duration of status" (D/S) policy for F, J, and I visa holders, replacing it with a fixed period of admission effective September 15, 2026. This rule requires that those who need additional time to complete their programs must file Form I-539 with USCIS or travel abroad and seek to reenter to extend their authorized period of stay. F and J visa holders present in the U.S. and in valid status on September 15, 2026, will be allowed to remain in the United States until the Program End Date listed on their current Form I-20 (for F-1s) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1s), up to a maximum of four years (until September 15, 2030) plus a 60-day grace period for F-1s and a 30-day grace period for J-1s, without filing an Extension of Status request with USCIS. However, this safety net only applies while staying in the U.S.; international travel and subsequent reentry after September 15, 2026 will result in readmission under the new rule with an I-94 that expires on the Program End Date or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expiration, but no later than four-years after their date of re-entry. Additionally, once re-admitted under the new rules, F-1s will only receive a 30-day grace period. Immediate Practice Tips: Any F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant currently in the U.S. who plans to change programs, start a new degree level, or needs more time to complete their studies must work with their school or program sponsor to update their SEVIS record and receive an extended Form I-20 or DS-2019 before September 15, 2026. Eligible F-1 students should submit their post-completion OPT or STEM OPT work authorization applications (Form I-765) before September 15, 2026, to secure their status and drastically reduce the likelihood of needing a Form I-539 extension application. Any F-1 student who is eligible to apply for OPT or STEM OPT before March 18, 2027, should do so as soon as they are eligible to file their Form I-765. Since F-1s can file OPT applications up to 90 days in advance of graduation, F-1 students graduating before June 15,2027, should be able to file their OPT applications before March 18, 2027, and should do so to avoid also having to file Form I-539 to extend their stay. Thus, most F-1 students graduating in December 2026 and May/June 2027 should be able to take advantage of the transition rule’s delay in having to file Form I-539 applications and should only need to file Form I-765 to apply for OPT. Incoming F-1 and J-1 students who can enter the United States before the September 15, 2026 effective date (within the permissible 30-day window prior to their program start) should do so to benefit from the transition rules, including the full 60-day F-1 grace period and deferred extension requirements. Students (F-1 and J-1) who are planning international travel should return before the effective date if possible to preserve their transition benefits.  There are many parts of the rule that are not discussed here. If you are currently an F-1 or J-1 visa holder, you should proactively coordinate with your institutions and international office to protect your status and stay informed.
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