Public Charge Clarification Act of 2026

This bill would change the federal immigration law that allows officials to deny entry or a green card to a person likely to become a "public charge." It would define that term as someone likely to receive one or more public benefits for more than 12 months total within any 36-month period, counting two benefits in one month as two months. Public benefits would include cash aid, SNAP food assistance, housing assistance, most Medicaid, health insurance subsidies, and other federal, state, local, or tribal programs, including future ones. The bill would require sponsors' affidavits of support to show income of at least 125 percent of the federal poverty line, require bonds of at least $10,000 in some cases, and bar waivers unless Congress authorizes them. Refugees, asylees, and members of the Armed Forces and their dependents would be exempt.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Roger Marshall Republican sponsor
• 1 cosponsors