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DV 2026 AOS (Adjustment of Status) Process Only

Hi, Mom,

Hope you are doing well.

My kid is the student at the Head Start Income Assistance program, which provides my kid to be enrolled at prek program for free. Also, I am considering to apply for the health insurance program (MCHP (Maryland Children's health program) or CFK program, whichever we would be eligible for. So I am wondering, does it considered to be a public charge? And does the headstart program itself for the students of low-income families also may be count as a public charge expense?

p.s. we are under f1 opt status.

Looking forward to your response and thank you as always.
 
KISS2025 said:
Hi, Mom,

Hope you are doing well.

My kid is the student at the Head Start Income Assistance program, which provides my kid to be enrolled at prek program for free. Also, I am considering to apply for the health insurance program (MCHP (Maryland Children's health program) or CFK program, whichever we would be eligible for. So I am wondering, does it considered to be a public charge? And does the headstart program itself for the students of low-income families also may be count as a public charge expense?

p.s. we are under f1 opt status.

Looking forward to your response and thank you as always.
Click to expand...
The current DHS Final rule published on Dec. 23, 2022 DHS exempts recipients of both the Head Start and MCHP programs from being deemed as public charge for immigration purpose.

However, do be mindful this was counted as public charge under this current administration’s I-944 Self Sufficiency form in use back in 2020. This form, or a worse version of it may get re-introduced by the administration. So it all depends on how public charge is defined as at when you file for AOS.
 
Sm1smom said:
The current DHS Final rule published on Dec. 23, 2022 DHS exempts recipients of both the Head Start and MCHP programs from being deemed as public charge for immigration purpose.

However, do be mindful this was counted as public charge under this current administration’s I-944 Self Sufficiency form in use back in 2020. This form, or a worse version of it may get re-introduced by the administration. So it all depends on how public charge is defined as at when you file for AOS.
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Thank you very much for your helpful response. You’re absolutely right — no one can know for sure whether that form will be reintroduced or not. But as far as I know, the I-944 form was first introduced in 2019 and only went into effect in 2020.

So, does that mean that if a new version of the form is being considered, we would likely know about it in advance and have some time to withdraw from these programs before filing the application? Or would you still recommend quitting these programs now, just to be on the safe side?


Thank you again for your guidance!
 
KISS2025 said:
Thank you very much for your helpful response. You’re absolutely right — no one can know for sure whether that form will be reintroduced or not. But as far as I know, the I-944 form was first introduced in 2019 and only went into effect in 2020.

So, does that mean that if a new version of the form is being considered, we would likely know about it in advance and have some time to withdraw from these programs before filing the application? Or would you still recommend quitting these programs now, just to be on the safe side?


Thank you again for your guidance!
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If it comes in and if it’s the same as last time, it’s phrased as a “have you ever” question. So there’s no gaming the form in terms of timing.
 
KISS2025 said:
Do you have any suggestions on that?my child is enrolled and went only for 1 month.
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That would still be a “yes” answer it it’s a “have you ever” question.
I have no suggestions as I have no idea what the financial circumstances that led you to the decision to enroll is. (And you don’t need to explain them here. But you may have to at an interview)
f1 is supposed to be able to support themselves and their family. Just checking, the child is not a USC/wasn’t born here?
 
my child is not US citizen. There is no US income for my family, since I am working on my own llc under 1 year opt and haven't earned any income yet. That's why we have applied for the head start program knowing that it shouldn't be considered as "public charge". Kind of confused right now.
 
KISS2025 said:
my child is not US citizen. There is no US income for my family, since I am working on my own llc under 1 year opt and haven't earned any income yet. That's why we have applied for the head start program knowing that it shouldn't be considered as "public charge". Kind of confused right now.
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Regardless of this particular question, you still need to show you wouldn’t be a public charge. If you are not earning any income, do you have someone to fill in an I134 for you?
Again, one of the conditions of an F1 visa is that you have enough funds to finance yourself and your dependents for all study and living costs.
 
Yes, I do have someone to fill that form. Since, I have 0 us income. How do I have to show our family financial status? Can I show my foreign bank accounts? rental income and dividends from the business? p.s we are living off the savings.
 
KISS2025 said:
Yes, I do have someone to fill that form. Since, I have 0 us income. How do I have to show our family financial status? Can I show my foreign bank accounts? rental income and dividends from the business? p.s we are living off the savings.
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Please refer to the spreadsheet about proof of financials.
 
Thank you. But there is still some confusion about the Head Start program. Should I just hope that the new self-sufficiency form will not be implemented, or are there any proactive steps I should take in advance?
 
Good morning,

I have 2 questions:

  • When do I create my uscis account? I already received my NoA for ead card and for my case number.
  • Looking for some advice: My stem opt is going to end in December. Do you suggest me to start using my EAD card after? Or should I enroll in a school to keep my status up?
Information on question 2:

I have a job, so if I enroll in a school, it would be something that allow me to keep working.

I am not sure if in this situation is better to switch for the ead card to avoid any other complication on my case and extra paperwork as well.

I know the Ead card may arrive sooner than December or later than that after biometrics.

Just looking for opinions/advice

Thanks
 
BraveEnough said:
Good morning,

I have 2 questions:

  • When do I create my uscis account? I already received my NoA for ead card and for my case number.
  • Looking for some advice: My stem opt is going to end in December. Do you suggest me to start using my EAD card after? Or should I enroll in a school to keep my status up?
Information on question 2:

I have a job, so if I enroll in a school, it would be something that allow me to keep working.

I am not sure if in this situation is better to switch for the ead card to avoid any other complication on my case and extra paperwork as well.

I know the Ead card may arrive sooner than December or later than that after biometrics.

Just looking for opinions/advice

Thanks
Click to expand...
1. This is covered in the AOS process spreadsheet. Create the USCIS account following receipt of the NOA.
2. If you’re comfortable with having no fall back status should something go wrong with your AOS application or it gets denied, you can decide to proceed with working with an AOS based EAD once your STEM based OPT is over. Re-enrolling in school or working with the AOS based EAD is a personal call you’ll need to make on your own.
 
Sm1smom said:
1. This is covered in the AOS process spreadsheet. Create the USCIS account following receipt of the NOA.
2. If you’re comfortable with having no fall back status should something go wrong with your AOS application or it gets denied, you can decide to proceed with working with an AOS based EAD once your STEM based OPT is over. Re-enrolling in school or working with the AOS based EAD is a personal call you’ll need to make on your own.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your quick reply.

I thought the uscis is going to send me a letter with a code to create a uscis account.
 
Hi mom,
Thank you very much for all your valuable suggestions and guidance over the years. I have two questions regarding my I-20 as I prepare my AOS package:
  1. During my eight years in the U.S., a total of six I-20s have been issued to me. All of them include the DSO’s signature and date, but two (issued approximately two and four years ago) do not have my signature and date. Do all I-20s require the student's signature and date? If so, what should I do now? I can add my signature, but should I also write a date close to the original issue date, or use the current date instead?
  2. I noticed that one of my I-20s has a signature written in English letters, while the other three are signed using my native language (matching the signature on my passport). These are the two versions of my signature that I commonly use. Will this inconsistency cause any issues?
 
mtb said:
Hi mom,
Thank you very much for all your valuable suggestions and guidance over the years. I have two questions regarding my I-20 as I prepare my AOS package:
  1. During my eight years in the U.S., a total of six I-20s have been issued to me. All of them include the DSO’s signature and date, but two (issued approximately two and four years ago) do not have my signature and date. Do all I-20s require the student's signature and date? If so, what should I do now? I can add my signature, but should I also write a date close to the original issue date, or use the current date instead?
  2. I noticed that one of my I-20s has a signature written in English letters, while the other three are signed using my native language (matching the signature on my passport). These are the two versions of my signature that I commonly use. Will this inconsistency cause any issues?
Click to expand...
1&2. I see no issue. Leave them as is.
 
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Hi Mom,
I’ve enrolled in state medical insurance that covers all my dependents. The monthly premium is lower than what my employer offers.
Do you think this could affect my status under the public charge rule?
 
samlaryea said:
Hi Mom,
I’ve enrolled in state medical insurance that covers all my dependents. The monthly premium is lower than what my employer offers.
Do you think this could affect my status under the public charge rule?
Click to expand...
What is the state medical insurance you enrolled in called? You need to be specific.
 
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