¿Cómo afecta la recepción de asistencia pública mi solicitud de ajuste de estatus (AOS)?
Santos Lloyd Law Team • January 12, 2023
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La respuesta a esta pregunta cambió considerablemente después de que el presidente Biden revirtiera algunas de las duras políticas de inmigración del expresidente Trump. En 2019, Trump emitió una orden ejecutiva conocida como "La regla final de carga pública", que provocó que la recepción de la mayoría de los programas de asistencia pública afectara negativamente las solicitudes de AOS, y con pocas excepciones (por ejemplo, servicios de emergencia y beneficiarios de Medicaid que estaban embarazadas o eran menores a la edad de 21 años).
Bajo la administración actual, su recibo de asistencia pública puede continuar afectando negativamente su petición de AOS, pero solo en circunstancias limitadas. Depende de 1) cuál es su estatus migratorio actual; 2) el tipo de asistencia pública que está recibiendo; y 3) cuáles son sus circunstancias personales.
Si su estatus migratorio actual es el de asilado o refugiado, entonces su recibo pasado o actual de asistencia pública generalmente no afectará su solicitud de ajuste de estatus (AOS). Si no es un asilado o refugiado, se aplica lo siguiente.
Con respecto al tipo de asistencia recibida, el Servicio de Inmigración y Aduanas de los Estados Unidos (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglés) evaluará si su recibo pasado o actual de asistencia pública indica que es probable que se convierta en una "carga pública", es decir, alguien que depende principalmente del gobierno para la subsistencia. Su solicitud será denegada si, en el momento de su solicitud, USCIS determina que actualmente es una carga pública o que es probable que se convierta en una carga pública en algún momento en el futuro.
Sin embargo, al tomar su determinación, USCIS puede considerar solo ciertos factores: La medida en que usted dependió de 1) la asistencia pública para el mantenimiento de ingresos; y 2) si ha requerido atención a largo plazo en una institución a expensas del gobierno. Los siguientes tipos de asistencia pública se encuentran dentro de la primera categoría (asistencia pública para el mantenimiento de ingresos) y afectarán negativamente su solicitud en ciertas situaciones:
- Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario (SSI);
- Asistencia Temporal para Familias Necesitadas (TANF) Asistencia en efectivo; programas de asistencia en efectivo estatales y locales que brindan beneficios para el mantenimiento de ingresos (a menudo llamados programas de "asistencia general");
- Programas para apoyar a los solicitantes institucionalizados para cuidados a largo plazo, por ejemplo, en un hogar de ancianos o institución de salud mental
Cuanto más tiempo dependa de la asistencia en efectivo o la atención institucional mencionada anteriormente, más lo sopesará USCIS en su solicitud. Pero, incluso si ha confiado en uno de los programas de asistencia pública enumerados anteriormente, o si ha requerido atención institucional a largo plazo durante un período de tiempo, es posible que USCIS no niegue necesariamente su solicitud de AOS. Se requiere que USCIS evalúe esta información dentro del contexto de la totalidad de todas sus circunstancias personales. Sus circunstancias personales incluyen muchos factores diferentes, que incluyen, entre otros: su edad, salud, situación familiar, estado financiero, los recursos disponibles para usted, educación y habilidades vocacionales.
Si recibió beneficios que no son en efectivo (aparte de la institucionalización para atención a largo plazo) o beneficios en efectivo para propósitos especiales que no fueron para el mantenimiento de ingresos, USCIS no lo sopesará en su contra. La siguiente es una lista no exhaustiva de beneficios no monetarios que no afectarán negativamente su solicitud:
- Medicaid y otros seguros de salud y servicios de salud (incluida la asistencia pública para inmunizaciones y para pruebas y tratamiento de síntomas de enfermedades transmisibles;
- Uso de clínicas de salud, servicios de rehabilitación a corto plazo y servicios médicos de emergencia (aparte del apoyo para la atención institucional a largo plazo;
- Programa de Seguro Médico para Niños (CHIP);
- Programas de nutrición, incluidos cupones de alimentos, el Programa especial de nutrición suplementaria para mujeres, bebés y niños (WIC), el Programa nacional de desayuno y almuerzo escolar y otros programas de asistencia alimentaria suplementaria y de emergencia;
- Beneficios de vivienda;
- Servicios de cuidado de niños;
- Asistencia de energía, como el Programa de Asistencia de Energía para Hogares de Bajos Ingresos (LIHEAP);
- Socorro de emergencia en casos de desastre;
- Cuidado de crianza y asistencia para la adopción;
- Asistencia educativa, incluidos los beneficios bajo la Ley de Head Start y ayuda para la educación primaria, secundaria o superior;
- Programas, servicios o asistencia basados en la comunidad (como comedores populares, asesoramiento e intervención en casos de crisis y refugio a corto plazo)
- Programas estatales y locales que son similares a los programas mencionados anteriormente
¿Cómo se verá afectada mi solicitud de AOS si mi familiar es el que recibe asistencia pública, no yo?
Si su familiar actualmente o anteriormente dependía de la asistencia pública, pero no como su único medio de apoyo financiero, USCIS no sopesará ese beneficio en su contra al evaluar su solicitud. Pero si su familiar actualmente o anteriormente dependía de la asistencia pública como su único medio de apoyo financiero, USCIS tomará una determinación caso por caso. Evaluarán la asistencia pública de su familiar junto con la totalidad de sus circunstancias personales para determinar si es probable que se convierta en una carga pública en algún momento en el futuro.
Este blog no pretende ser un consejo 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 lea aquí.
Family-based immigration remains one of the most common paths to lawful permanent residency in the United States. It offers a lifeline to families hoping to reunite across borders, but the process is far from simple. The outcome of the applications can be delayed as a result of potential missteps while preparing the applications. Here are some of the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them: Incomplete or Inaccurate Forms One frequent mistake is submitting incomplete or inaccurate information on the forms like the I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and the I-485 (Adjustment of Status). Even minor errors such as misspelled names, missing signatures, or incorrect dates—can result in Requests for Evidence. To avoid this misstep, double-check all entries, cross-reference documents, and consult with an attorney before submission. Remember, immigration forms are legal documents so accuracy matters. Insufficient Supporting Evidence Proving a genuine familial relationship is the basis of family-based petitions. For spousal cases, USCIS looks closely at evidence of a bona fide marriage. Little or no supporting documents and evidence may lead to Requests for Evidence and even skepticism from USCIS. To establish a bona fide marriage, include documentation to show shared finances and liabilities. Filing Under the Wrong Category or Preference There are different immigration paths depending on whether the petitioner is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, and whether the beneficiary is a spouse, child, sibling, or parent. Each category has different processing times and visa availability. It is critical that before applying, you understand which preference category applies to your case. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, parents, unmarried children under 21) generally receive faster processing and are not subject to annual visa caps. Not Disclosing Past Immigration or Criminal History Many applicants fail to account for past immigration violations such as visa overstays, unauthorized work, or prior removal orders. Similarly, if you fail to disclose past criminal history and these issues surface later in the process they can affect the outcome of the case. Disclose everything to your attorney, no matter how minor or old the issue seems. Prior violations don’t always mean denial but not disclosing them may lead to serious consequences. If you're considering filing a family-based petition, consult with an experienced immigration attorney at our office. Our office is committed to helping families navigate this complex process with clarity and confidence.
When applying for a green card or seeking admission into the United States, one of the legal hurdles many applicants may face is the public charge ground of inadmissibility. This test evaluates whether someone is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for support. But what exactly does that mean—and what types of public benefits can trigger this issue? In this article, we’ll break down what “public charge” really means, who is affected, what types of public benefits are considered, and what immigrants should be mindful of when making decisions about public programs like Medi-Cal and Medicaid. What Is the Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility? The public charge rule applies to individuals applying for a visa, green card (adjustment of status), or entry into the U.S., unless they fall into an exempt category. Under this rule, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must determine whether the applicant is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for subsistence. This typically refers to receiving: Public cash assistance for income maintenance (such as SSI or TANF), or Long-term institutional care at government expense. This determination is based on the "totality of circumstances," including age, health, financial resources, education, skills, and whether a sponsor has submitted a valid Affidavit of Support. Who Is Exempt from the Public Charge Rule? Many categories of immigrants are exempt from the public charge ground of inadmissibility. These include: Asylees and refugees Special immigrant juveniles Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners T and U visa applicants Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants Importantly, even if someone later adjusts status through a different pathway that is subject to public charge, any benefits they received while in an exempt category will not be held against them. What Public Benefits Are Not Considered in the Public Charge Test? It is a common and harmful myth that using any public benefit will jeopardize your immigration status. In fact, most non-cash benefits do not count against you in a public charge determination. According to USCIS and DHS guidance, the following types of assistance (current as of July 1, 2025) are not considered: Health-Related Benefits Medi-Cal/Medicaid, except for long-term institutional care Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Health insurance through the ACA Marketplace, including subsidies COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and treatment Community health services, crisis counseling, and short-term shelters Food and Nutrition SNAP (Food Stamps) WIC School meal programs Food banks and emergency food assistance Housing and Energy Emergency shelter Rental assistance (e.g., McKinney-Vento programs) Energy assistance (e.g., LIHEAP) Education and Childcare Public schooling Head Start Childcare subsidies (e.g., CCDF) Educational grants and scholarships Federal Cash and Tax Benefits Earned income tax credit (EITC) Child Tax Credit (CTC) Stimulus checks Unemployment insurance Social Security and veteran’s benefits Disaster and pandemic-related cash aid In short, just because a benefit is public or government-funded doesn’t automatically make it count against you. A Word of Caution About Medi-Cal and Medicaid, in Particular As of today (07/01/2025), standard use of Medi-Cal (California’s version of Medicaid) or Medicaid for most health-related services is not considered in a public charge determination. This includes preventative care, emergency services, pregnancy-related services, and short-term care. However, if Medicaid is used for long-term institutionalization, such as in a nursing home or psychiatric facility, that does count under the public charge test. Despite current guidance, we are seeing political shifts and changes in tone from the current administration that suggest public charge policies may become more restrictive in the future. This includes renewed interest in expanding the types of public benefits that may be considered, particularly around medical assistance. For that reason, we generally recommend that individuals who are applying for adjustment of status, or who may be subject to the public charge ground in the future, avoid enrolling in Medi-Cal or Medicaid at this time, unless absolutely necessary. Final Thoughts Immigration law is complex, and the rules surrounding public charge can feel confusing or even frightening. But it’s important to understand that using most public benefits—especially for food, education, and healthcare—will not automatically jeopardize your green card or visa application. Still, because policy can change quickly, we urge individuals to consult with an immigration attorney before applying for any public assistance—especially healthcare programs like Medi-Cal or Medicaid. If you have questions or concerns about how public benefits might impact your immigration case, our office is here to help. We are committed to providing up-to-date, personalized guidance to keep your immigration journey on track. Disclaimer The information provided herein is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every immigration case is unique, and the application of the public charge rule may vary depending on your specific situation. If you believe this topic may apply to you or you need individualized legal guidance, we encourage you to contact one of our highly-qualified legal professionals for a consultation and assistance tailored to your circumstances. Resources: USCIS Public Charge Resources ILRC Medi-Cal and Public Charge Alert (2024) California Medi-Cal Immigrant Eligibility FAQ
As an immigration law firm, we regularly assist highly skilled professionals working in the U.S. on temporary work visas such as H-1B who are seeking a path to permanent residency. For many of these individuals, the EB-2 and EB-3 employment-based green card categories are the most pursued—and frequently misunderstood—routes . While both are viable pathways to permanent residency, they differ in meaningful ways that can significantly impact the timing, eligibility, and overall strategy of your case. The EB-2 category is intended for individuals who either hold an advanced degree or demonstrate exceptional ability in their field . Most applicants qualify by having a master’s degree (or higher), or a bachelor’s degree accompanied by at least five years of progressive experience in their profession. There is also a subcategory within EB-2 known as the National Interest Waiver (NIW), which allows qualified individuals to self-petition without employer sponsorship if their work substantially benefits the United States. This route is especially relevant for researchers, entrepreneurs, and professionals in high national interest or mission-critical fields. In contrast, the EB-3 category includes professionals with a bachelor’s degree as well as skilled workers with at least two years of training or experience . While the educational threshold for EB-3 may appear less rigorous, the process itself is equally structured. One key distinction between EB-2 and EB-3 lies in the requirements of the job being offered, not just the applicant’s own credentials. For example, if a position requires only a bachelor’s degree, even a highly qualified candidate with a master’s degree may still fall under EB-3. Regardless of which category applies, most employment-based green card cases begin with the PERM labor certification process . This is a formal procedure overseen by the U.S. Department of Labor, in which the employer must test the labor market and demonstrate that there are no able, willing, qualified, and available U.S. workers for the position. The employer must also agree to pay the prevailing wage as determined by the Department of Labor. This step is both mandatory and highly detail-sensitive; inaccuracies in the job description, recruitment steps, or wage determination can lead to significant delays or even denials. Once PERM certification is approved, the employer files Form I-140 , the Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker. This petition confirms that the employee meets the requirements for the offered position under either EB-2 or EB-3, and that the employer is financially capable of providing the job as described. If the employee’s priority date—which is based on the date the PERM was filed—is current according to the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin, the individual may then file Form I-485 to adjust their status to lawful permanent resident. One of the more nuanced aspects of this process involves understanding how priority dates and visa backlogs affect the timeline. For applicants from countries with high demand, such as India or China, significant delays are common—particularly under EB-2. Paradoxically, there are times when the EB-3 category moves faster, prompting some applicants to file a second I-140 under EB-3 while retaining the original priority date. This strategy can be effective but requires careful legal planning to ensure it’s done correctly. Another strategic factor is portability. If your I-485 application has been pending for at least 180 days and your I-140 has been approved, you may be eligible to change employers under the AC21 portability provisions, so long as the new job is in the same or a similar occupational classification. This flexibility can be critical for employees who experience job changes or promotions during the often lengthy green card process. Ultimately, the choice between EB-2 and EB-3 isn’t about prestige —it’s about aligning your qualifications, the job requirements, and your immigration history with current legal standards and market conditions. The right strategy depends not only on your education and experience, but also on your long-term career goals and country of origin. At our firm, we work closely with both employers and employees to develop individualized immigration strategies that streamline the process and avoid unnecessary setbacks. Whether you're a corporate professional evaluating your green card options or an employer preparing to sponsor a key team member, we offer the insight and experience to move your case forward with confidence.
