U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Your Complete Guide
~ Updates and Errata ~
November 1999
USCIS Public Charge Guide
The USCIS has
issued a guide summarizing how receiving pubic benefits in the United
States may affect whether an immigrant is considered a "pubic charge."
This issue is important for both applicants for permanent residence and to
a more limited extend, to applicants applying for admission to the United
States after having been granted permanent residence.
You can read the guide at http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/summaries/Public.htm.
For more on public charge issues for applicants for permanent residents, see U.S. Immigration and Citizenship - Your Complete Guide 2nd Revised Edition, page 65.
"Unlawful Presence" for Canadians
The U.S. Department of State has clarified
that Canadians, and Commonwealth citizens Resident in Canada who enter the
United States after inspection by an USCIS officer are considered lawfully
present, regardless of whether they violate their status. They will ONLY
be considered to have violated the unlawful presence law if the yare found
to have been found to have violated status is there is a finding to hat
effect by an immigration judge or USCIS office. The Canadians will be
treated similarly to F-1 students who have been granted adjustment of
status. For more information on this issue, see U.S. Immigration and
Citizenship - Your Complete Guide 2nd Revised Edition, page 60.