View Rule

DHS proposes to amend its regulations relating to the mechanisms by which the Federal government, as well as the States and state agencies, hold the sponsors of aliens to their commitments to financially support those aliens.  The project will include amendments relating to requests for reimbursement and actions to compel reimbursement.  DHS will also amend its regulations to clarify the responsibilities of States and state agencies to attribute a sponsor’s income and resources to an alien when determining the eligibility and the amount of benefits of an alien for means-tested public benefits programs.

Statement of Need:

Existing regulations relating to sponsor reimbursement and deeming fail to adequately convey the steps that States and state agencies must take to comply with their statutory obligations. These regulations would better aid States and state agencies in fulfilling those obligations, and expand the Federal role in forcing sponsors to financially support the sponsored aliens and reimburse the expenses associated with public benefit use by those aliens.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

DHS is currently considering the specific impacts of the proposed provisions.