L'USCIS publie des directives actualisées concernant les règles relatives à la charge publique

Kris Quadros-Ragar • August 27, 2026

Click here to read this article in English


Les Services américains de la citoyenneté et de l’immigration (USCIS) ont publié des directives actualisées précisant la manière dont les agents évalueront le motif d’inadmissibilité lié à la « charge publique » pour les personnes demandant une carte verte par le biais d’un ajustement de statut.


Cette mise à jour fait suite à une règle définitive du Département de la Sécurité intérieure (DHS) qui abroge la réglementation de 2022 relative à la charge publique. La nouvelle politique entre en vigueur le 18 septembre 2026 et s’applique à toutes les demandes de carte verte (formulaire I-485) dont le cachet de la poste ou la date de dépôt est cette date ou une date ultérieure.


Qui est concerné par la règle relative à la charge publique ?


La plupart des demandeurs de carte verte pour des motifs familiaux ou professionnels seront soumis au motif d’inadmissibilité lié à la charge publique. Cela inclut les conjoints, les enfants et les parents de citoyens américains ou de résidents permanents légaux, ainsi que la plupart des catégories de visas professionnels préférentiels, les investisseurs et les demandeurs de visas de diversité.


Certaines catégories restent explicitement exemptées en vertu de la loi sur l’immigration. Il s’agit notamment :


  • des demandeurs d’asile et des réfugiés ;


  • des victimes de la traite des êtres humains (visa T) ou d’actes criminels (visa U) ;
  • Les demandeurs autonomes au titre de la loi sur la violence à l’égard des femmes (VAWA)


  • Les mineurs bénéficiaires d’un statut d’immigrant spécial


  • Les demandeurs du statut de protection temporaire (TPS)


  • Certains demandeurs liés à l’armée et d’autres groupes humanitaires désignés


Comment l’USCIS rendra ses décisions


Les agents de l’USCIS évalueront si un demandeur est susceptible de devenir une charge publique en examinant l’ensemble de sa situation au cas par cas. Les facteurs clés sont les suivants :


  • Cinq facteurs prévus par la loi : l’âge, la santé, la situation familiale, le patrimoine et les ressources financières, ainsi que le niveau d’études ou les compétences.


  • Déclaration sous serment de prise en charge : la présentation du formulaire I-864 signé par un garant.



  • Recours aux prestations sociales : l’USCIS examinera les prestations sociales soumises à des conditions de ressources, telles que l’aide financière en espèces pour le maintien du revenu, l’aide au logement, les bons alimentaires (SNAP) ou l’aide financière pour les études supérieures.


Remarque concernant la période prise en compte : pour les prestations perçues avant le 18 septembre 2026, l’USCIS ne tiendra compte que de l’aide financière publique en espèces destinée au maintien des revenus et des placements en institution de longue durée pris en charge par l’État. Pour les prestations perçues à compter du 18 septembre 2026, l’examen plus large de l’ensemble des prestations soumises à des conditions de ressources énumérées s’appliquera.


Cautions relatives à la charge publique


Si un agent détermine qu’un demandeur est inadmissible uniquement pour des motifs liés à la charge publique, l’USCIS peut émettre un avis d’intention de refus invitant le demandeur à déposer une caution relative à la charge publique à l’aide du formulaire I-945. Si le demandeur invité dépose avec succès la caution en espèces ou la caution solidaire requise, l’USCIS peut approuver la demande de résidence permanente. Les cautions relatives à la charge publique ne peuvent être soumises que si l’USCIS y invite explicitement le demandeur.


Le cabinet d’avocats Santos Lloyd continuera à suivre de près l’évolution de la situation en matière d’immigration et fournira des mises à jour à mesure que de nouveaux détails concernant la mise en œuvre seront publiés. Pour plus d’informations, veuillez consulter :

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

Ce blog n'est pas destiné à fournir des conseils juridiques et rien ici ne doit être interprété comme établissant une relation avocat-client. Veuillez prendre rendez-vous avec un avocat spécialisé en droit de l'immigration avant d'agir sur la base de toute information lue ici.

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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