Dear Students and Scholars,

You may have heard in recent news that the U.S. government has enacted regulations related to foreign nationals in the United States who receive public assistance from the U.S. government. Public assistance programs are funded by the U.S. government to help low-income people meet income, housing, food, medical and other needs. Because visitors to the U.S. are required to have adequate funding for their stay, the government can evaluate whether you are financially self-sufficient  at multiple points in the immigration process- when you apply for a visa, when you enter the U.S., or when you apply to stay longer or permanently.  This new rule defines how public assistance impacts your eligibility for certain immigration benefits.