USA immigration changes: week of 14 September 2026

Wider range of public benefits now counted in green card public charge decisions from 18 September 2026

A final rule that removes the 2022 public charge regulations took effect on 18 September 2026. From that date officers may weigh any means-tested public benefit, such as food stamps, housing help or college financial aid, case by case. Benefits received before that date count only if they were cash aid for income support or long-term care at government expense.

Takes effect 2026-09-18.

Official source: USCIS Issues Guidance on Making Public Charge Inadmissibility Determination | USCIS

US court in Massachusetts pauses the rule that would end "duration of status" for F, J and I visa holders

On 14 September 2026 the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a nationwide preliminary injunction that postponed the effective date of the Homeland Security rule replacing "duration of status" with fixed periods of admission for F students, J exchange visitors and I media visa holders. The rule had been set to start on 15 September 2026 and did not start. This is a court decision only; the government may appeal, and students should keep following the guidance the agency publishes.

This is a court decision, not a change to the rules. It may be appealed, and the authority may not have changed what it publishes. Nothing to act on yet.

Reported by a news outlet. We could not find this on the government's own pages, so treat it as news rather than as a rule you can rely on. Check the official source before you act.

Reported by fragomen.com: https://www.fragomen.com/insights/united-states-district-court-postpones-implementation-of-dhs-final-rule-eliminating-duration-of-status-for-f-j-and-i-nonimmigrants.html