As of September 18, 2026, the federal government has once again changed how immigration officials decide whether some immigrants are likely to become a "public charge" when applying for lawful permanent residence (a.k.a. a green card). These changes have already created confusion and fear. Public charge rules have changed several times over the past decade, and as a result, many immigrant families are unsure whether using programs like SNAP, WIC, or TennCare Medicaid could af