Virtual Know Your Rights Event: Understanding Changes to the Public Charge Rule

BACKGROUND:

In July 2026, the federal government finalized a new rule changing the federal government’s policy on how immigration officials determine when someone is likely to be a “public charge.” The earliest the new rule can take effect is September 18, 2026.

Federal immigration law says that someone applying for an immigration benefit — such as a green card — can be denied if they are “likely to be a public charge,” but doesn’t further spell out what that means. Instead, the new rule erases any definition of the term from federal regulations and leaves interpretation to the discretion of USCIS.

JOIN A WEBINAR:

Legal Services NYC is hosting a series of virtual Know Your Rights presentations [in English, Spanish, and Korean] so immigrant communities receive accurate, accessible information to make informed decisions about their lives AND so that they are not deterred from accessing benefits or immigration relief based on fear or misinformation.

Friday August 14

• 1 -2 p.m. (English) – Zoom link here
• 1:30 – 2 p.m (Spanish) – Zoom link here

Monday August 17

• 8–9 a.m. (Spanish) – Zoom link here
• 5–6 p.m. (Spanish) – Zoom link here

Wednesday August 19

• 8–9 a.m. (Spanish) – Zoom link here
• 5–5:30 p.m. (Korean) – Zoom link here
• 5:30–6 p.m. (English) – Zoom link here

Friday August 21

• 8–9 a.m. (Spanish) – Zoom link here
• 5–5:30 p.m. (Spanish) – Zoom link here
• 5:30–6 p.m. (English) – Zoom link here

HOW TO SIGN UP:

No sign up necessary, just sign onto the zoom with your phone or PC at the designated time.

QUESTIONS/FOLLOW UP:

Because these are community-wide educational presentations, the sessions will not be open for live questions from attendees. However, attendees will also be provided with a phone number that they can text with additional questions regarding public charge after the presentation.