Courts Enjoin DHS Public Charge Rule

On October 11, 2019, the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York enjoined and restrained DHS and USCIS from “enforcing, applying, or treating as effective” the DHS Public Charge Final Rule. The rule was slated to go into effect on October 15, 2019. In addition, the court specifically enjoined the government from implementing the use of any new or updated forms whose submission would be required under the Final Rule, including Forms I-129, I-485, I-539, I-864, I-864 EZ, I-944, and I-945. USCIS has removed the new/revised forms from its website. Another, more limited injunction was issued by a U.S. district court in California, as well as one in the Eastern District of Washington; the latter lawsuit includes 14 states.