Adios Form I-944, Declaration of Self-Sufficiency

This week, anyone who is planning to apply for Legal Permanent Residence received welcome news. Form I-944, Declaration of Self Sufficiency is no longer required!

What is Form I-944?

The Trump Administration introduced Form I-944 in late 2019. The form was required with all Form I-485 Applications to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status filed on or after October 15, 2019. The purpose of this form was to tighten requirements under the public charge rule. Before the introduction of this form, applicants needed only to provide an Affidavit of Support from a sponsor who pledged to be financially responsible for the applicant for a period of time or until the applicant obtains citizenship. The new form required an extensive and invasive explanation of the applicants financial, medical, and employment history.

Why is the form no longer required?

The form was part of new public charge rules. Those rules were challenge in court. On Nov. 2, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois vacated the new rules but the Trump Administration continued to defend the rules. On March 9, 2021, the Biden Administration notified the Supreme Court that it did not wish to continue Trump's fight to keep the public charge rules. As a result the new public charge rules no longer apply so Form I-944 is no longer necessary.

Why is the news important?

Form I-944 was incredibly time consuming and it was difficult for many applicants to obtain the information required. The form increased the likelihood that an applicant that otherwise would have been approved would be denied. The form also made the process more expensive for an applicant using an attorney because it added hours of work to the application process. If you are planning to apply for Legal Permanent Residence, please call today to schedule a consultation and learn about how this new saves you money!