USCIS Emite Diretrizes Atualizadas sobre as Regras de Encargo Público

Kris Quadros-Ragar • August 27, 2026

Click here to read this article in English


Os Serviços de Cidadania e Imigração dos EUA (USCIS) divulgaram diretrizes de políticas atualizadas detalhando como os oficiais avaliarão a inadmissibilidade por "encargo público" para indivíduos que solicitam o green card por meio do ajuste de status.


Esta atualização segue uma regra final do Departamento de Segurança Interna (DHS) que revoga os regulamentos de encargo público de 2022. A nova política entra em vigor em 18 de setembro de 2026 e se aplica a todas as solicitações de green card (Formulário I-485) postadas ou enviadas a partir dessa data.


Quem Está Sujeito à Regra de Encargo Público?


A maioria dos requerentes de green card baseados em família e em emprego estará sujeita ao fundamento de inadmissibilidade por encargo público. Isso inclui cônjuges, filhos e pais de cidadãos norte-americanos ou residentes permanentes legais, bem como a maioria das categorias de preferência de visto de trabalho, investidores e requerentes de visto de diversidade.


Certas categorias permanecem explicitamente isentas sob a lei de imigração. Essas incluem:


  • Asilados e refugiados


  • Vítimas de tráfico humano (visto T) ou de crimes (visto U)


  • Auto-peticionários da Lei de Violência Contra a Mulher (VAWA)


  • Jovens Imigrantes Especiais


  • Requerentes do Status de Proteção Temporária (TPS)


  • Certos requerentes ligados às forças armadas e outros grupos humanitários designados


Como o USCIS Tomará as Decisões


Os oficiais do USCIS avaliarão se um requerente tem probabilidade de se tornar um encargo público analisando a totalidade de suas circunstâncias caso a caso. Os principais fatores incluem:


  • Cinco Fatores Estatutários: Idade, saúde, estado civil/familiar, bens/recursos financeiros e educação ou habilidades.


  • Termo de Responsabilidade Financeira: Apresentação do Formulário I-864 assinado por um patrocinador.


  • Uso de Benefícios Públicos: O USCIS analisará benefícios públicos sujeitos a teste de meios financeiros, como assistência em dinheiro para manutenção de renda, auxílio-moradia, cupons de alimentação (SNAP) ou ajuda financeira universitária.


Nota sobre os prazos: Para benefícios recebidos antes de 18 de setembro de 2026, o USCIS considerará apenas assistência pública em dinheiro para manutenção de renda e institucionalização de longo prazo às custas do governo. Para benefícios recebidos em ou após 18 de setembro de 2026, a consideração mais ampla de todos os benefícios citados sujeitos a teste de meios financeiros será aplicada.


Fianças de Encargo Público 


Se um oficial determinar que um requerente é inadmissível unicamente por motivos de encargo público, o USCIS poderá emitir um Aviso de Intenção de Negação (Notice of Intent to Deny) convidando o requerente a prestar uma fiança de encargo público usando o Formulário I-945. Se o requerente convidado prestar com sucesso a fiança em dinheiro ou garantia exigida, o USCIS poderá aprovar o pedido de residência permanente. As fianças de encargo público só podem ser enviadas se explicitamente solicitadas pelo USCIS.



O escritório Santos Lloyd Law Firm continuará acompanhando de perto as novidades sobre imigração e fornecerá atualizações à medida que mais detalhes de implementação forem divulgados. Para maiores informações, por favor acesse:
https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-issues-guidance-on-making-public-charge-inadmissibility-determination

Este blog não se destina a fornecer aconselhamento jurídico, e nada aqui deve ser interpretado como o estabelecimento de uma relação entre advogado e cliente. Por favor, agende uma consulta com um advogado de imigração antes de agir com base em qualquer informação lida aqui.

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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