OnAugust 14, 2019 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announceda new “public charge” rule.  The rule wasset to into effect on October 15, 2019, but was stopped by a nationwideinjunction.  On January 27, 2020 the USSupreme Court liftedthe nationwide injunction.  Note that aninjunction still remains in effect in Illinois. On February 24, 2020 the new public charge rule will go into effect.
Undera longstanding law and policy, if immigration authorities determine someone is“likely to become a public charge” the US can deny the applicant’s green cardor other visa to the US.  A public chargeis someone who is dependent on the government, through benefits programs.  The Trump Administration’s new rule changesthe standard by the DHS determines whether a foreign national is likely tobecome a public charge.
Underthe previous policy, DHS examined whether an intending immigrant was primarilydependent on public benefits.  Under the newrule, immigration officers will examine whether immigrants are likely atany time to become a public charge, using a multi-factor test. 
Publicbenefits under the new rule include:
1)   Any federal, state, or local cash assistance,including:
a.    Social Security Income (SSI)
b.    Temporary Assistance for NeedyFamilies (TANF)
c.    Government programs for incomemaintenance often called “general assistance”
2)   Supplemental Nutrition AssistanceProgram (SNAP) also known as food stamps
3)   Section 8 Housing Assistance
4)   Medicaid, with certain exceptions
5)   Public Housing under Section 9
Theimmigration officer will take into account a broad range of factors andconsider all of the following when making a determination if the foreignnational visa applicant is likely to become a pubic charge:
a.  Receipt of a public benefit for morethan 12 months in the aggregate within a 36 month period
b.    Age
c.    Health
d.    Family status
e.    Education and skills
f.    Assets, resources, and financialstatus 
This rule will apply to allapplicants for any type of visa, though it is expected that the immigrationofficers will look most closely at those applying for a green card.  Employment-based visa applicants should betreated favorably because, by virtue of their employer-sponsor, they haveguaranteed employment and income in the United States.  However, policy experts forecast that thisrule will likely be applied inconsistently and cause fewer legal immigrants toenter the United States.