USA immigration changes: week of 14 September 2026

Getting a US green card just got harder for anyone using public benefits: food stamps, housing help and college aid can now count

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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.

Effective from 18 September 2026.

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

International students in the US get a reprieve: court pauses the rule limiting how long they can stay

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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 in the news. The US government hasn’t published it yet, so check the linked report before you rely on it.

Reported by washingtonpost.com: https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2026/09/14/judge-blocks-dhs-rule-limiting-foreign-students-four-year-stays/