Section 4 of Executive Order 14012 of February 2, 2021 (86 FR 8277) directed DHS and other federal agencies to immediately review agency actions related to the public charge grounds of inadmissibility and deportability for noncitizens at sections 212(a)(4) and 237(a)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(4), 1227(a)(5)). 

DHS intends to proceed with rulemaking to define the term public charge and identify considerations relevant to the public charge inadmissibility determination.  DHS will conduct the rulemaking consistent with section 212(a)(4) of the INA and consistent with the principles described in Executive Order 14012.  Such principles include recognizing our character as a Nation of opportunity and of welcome and of providing due consideration to the confusion, fear, and negative public health consequences that may result from public charge policies. 

Consistent with section 6 of Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735) and section 2 of Executive Order 13563 (76 FR 3821), and in consideration of the significant public interest in this rulemaking proceeding, DHS intends to publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking and engage relevant stakeholders.