Public Charge Considerations: When applying for AoS, immigrants are evaluated to ensure they are not likely to become a public charge, which means being primarily dependent on the government for subsistence. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) considers whether an applicant is likely to require certain government-funded assistance programs.

Impact on Immigration Process: Receiving long-term care at the expense of the government could potentially impact an immigrant's application for AoS. If the individual is likely to require extensive and publicly funded long-term care, this could be seen as a negative factor in their public charge assessment.

Affidavit of Support: For marriage-based AoS, the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse typically must submit an Affidavit of Support. This document serves as a guarantee that the immigrant spouse will not become a public charge and that the U.S. sponsor has adequate financial resources to support them.

Exemptions and Considerations: Certain categories of immigrants, such as refugees, asylees, and certain victims of domestic violence, are exempt from the public charge rule. Additionally, the rule considers a variety of factors, including age, health, family status, assets, resources, financial status, education, and skills.

Health Insurance and Care Needs: Having health insurance or the financial means to pay for medical and long-term care needs can be a positive factor in the public charge assessment. Immigrants are encouraged to demonstrate that they can afford health care without relying on public benefits.