Oakton Health Center

1. Public Charge Rule

As of November 19, 2025, a new rule related to public charge has been proposed but it is not currently in effect. New Yorkers with questions about public charge can call MOIA’s Immigration Legal Support hotline at 800-354-0365 for free and safe immigration legal help.

The rule is focused on providing clarity for noncitizens on how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will administer the public charge ground of inadmissibility, which relates to the reasons a person could be denied a green card, visa, or admission into the United States because they are likely to become a public charge.

It advises all New Yorkers in need of medical care, food assistance, and other benefits and services to get the help they need without fear, regardless of their immigration status. The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs provides information and services, including free immigration legal help in the preferred language of immigrant New Yorkers.

2. Mental Health Technical Instructions for Panel Physicians | Immigrant and Refugee Health

Technical instructions have been provided for panel physicians in accordance with CDC regulations. These are tailored for use when evaluating persons applying for immigrant or refugee status, as well as certain non-immigrants who are required to have an overseas medical examination. These instructions focus on physical or mental disorders with associated harmful behaviors and substance use disorders.

The purpose of the immigration examination is to identify health-related conditions that deem an applicant inadmissible. There are three grounds of inadmissibility related to substance addiction or abuse, physical or mental disorders affecting behavior. These instructions provide a comprehensive method for recording findings from the medical examination, with guidance for panel physicians on classifying applicants.

The document emphasizes the guidelines for behavior related to a physical or mental disorder, or substance use disorder that is harmful. Harmful behavior is defined as an action associated with a mental or physical disorder, or a substance use disorder that is causing serious injury, threat to health or safety, or major property damage.

The instructions provide a thorough overview of the appropriate procedures and evaluations to apply during the medical examination, the necessary mental health examination and laboratory testing, the guidelines concerning waivers, and the procedures for documentation. The guidelines are meant to ensure uniform and accurate evaluations for all applicants.

Summary

1. The Manual Release dated 05/27/2025 notes updates to the Medical PM/WAG for Asylum Applicants and Torture Victims (AATV) and Victims of Trafficking, Torture or Other Serious Crimes (VTTC). It reveals new policies about processing AATV/VTTC cases in IES, specifies rules for “Derivative Family Members” (DFM), and includes revisions to the eligibility factors for state-funded VTTC benefits. It addresses changes to the eligibility of single adult applicants and announces legislative amendments effective from June 5, 2024. The document also defines eligibility requirements for AATV assistance, provides guidance on entering Derivative Family Members in IES, and informs on the application process and updates to IES State-funded medical program eligibility rules, among others.

2. A new directive by President Donald Trump’s administration might make it more complex for foreigners to visit or live in the United States if they have certain medical conditions or lack the economic resources to support themselves. According to a cable from the State Department, embassy and consular officials must now thoroughly vet visa applicants to make sure they will not rely on public benefits from the government at any time after their admission to the U.S. Immigration policy experts warn that the updated guidance could reduce the number of immigrant and non-immigrant visas granted, and it might disproportionately affect specific groups of foreigners. The directive specifically assesses visa applicants’ age, health, family status, finances, and other details.

1. The October 2025 Visa Bulletin has been released, signaling a crucial time for those awaiting employment-based green cards. The bulletin gives those whose I-485 is already pending, and those whose priority date has now become current, the chance to finalize their visa applications. The bulletin outlines the key evidence required, medical exams, additional forms to include, and filing strategies. It also includes advice for those whose cases have stalled, medical exam updates, the interworking of employment categorizations, and maintaining momentum to avoid further delays. Depending on timelines or several months of inaction, litigation may be considered. Counsel is urged for anyone seeking further information or understanding.

2. The State Department will resume F, M, and J visas for Harvard University students in response to a recent court order. The USCIS is set to enact the end parole and employment authorization granted under the CHNV parole programs for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. USCIS also updated the validity of medical exams required for green card applications. Additionally, DHS announced it will forgive fines for those who self-deport via the CBP One Home App. The July 2025 Visa Bulletin has been released, guiding people to submit their applications promptly. Finally, despite an initial pause, ICE will continue worksite enforcement, focusing on organizations employing undocumented individuals with criminal records.

3. There have been changes in regulations concerning immigration and visas. The State Department has instructed consular posts to resume visa processing for F, M, and J visas for Harvard University students and exchange visitors, following a court order. Parole and employment authorization granted under CHNV parole programs for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans are being terminated due to a Supreme Court decision. An update from USCIS states that Form I-693 (Medical Exam) signed after November 1, 2023, is only valid while the associated green card application is pending. DHS has announced that undocumented individuals who self-deport using the CBP One Home App will have civil fines for failing to depart waived. The Department of State released the July 2025 Visa Bulletin, which indicates that USCIS will use the Dates for Filing chart for family-based categories and the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based cases. Following a statement by President Trump, DHS announced a pause on ICE worksite raids in the agriculture, hospitality, and restaurant sectors, however, ICE later declared that enforcement, including raids, would continue in these sectors. Lastly, the State Department now requires consular officers to screen the online presence of all new and returning student visa applicants for signs of hostility toward the U.S.

4. The DHS has started to revoke parole and employment authorization under the CHNV parole programs for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. The Supreme Court removed a previous injunction blocking the termination, so affected individuals will receive notification via their myUSCIS accounts. Employers should work with legal counsel on identifying affected workers and plan to take necessary action regarding work authorization or termination.

5. USCIS has issued updates to the validity of medical exams for green card applications. Effective June 11, 2025, Form I-693 (Medical Exam), signed on or after November 1, 2023, is only valid while the associated application remains pending. USCIS may also request a medical exam at its discretion if public health concerns arise. This update will need to be factored in when planning green card applications.

6. Following a DHS announcement, undocumented individuals who self-deport using the CBP One Home App will have civil fines for failing to depart waived, in an effort to make the self-deportation process more accessible. This policy may lead to an increase in voluntary departures among undocumented workers, potentially resulting in sudden workforce changes.

7. The July 2025 Visa Bulletin shows progress and changes in various categories. USCIS will use the Dates for Filing chart for family-based categories and the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based cases. It’s advised that applicants with current priority dates act quickly, and employers should monitor and support any affected cases.

8. Following President Trump’s remarks urging protection of long-term workers in the agriculture, hospitality, and restaurant sectors, the DHS announced a pause in ICE worksite raids in these industries. However, ICE has since stated it would continue worksite enforcement, including in these sectors, so employers are urged to maintain strong I-9 compliance.

9. The State Department now requires consular officers to screen the online presence of all new and returning student visa applicants for signs of hostility toward the U.S., political activism, or support for foreign terrorist organizations. Following this review, flagged content can result in further scrutiny rather than immediate disqualification.

The Trump administration has announced immediate changes to green card applications, stating that a previous policy, in place for just over a year, could threaten public health. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will now make new permanent residency applications require a renewed medical examination form, a change from previous policy where applicants could use forms indefinitely.

USCIS stated that the change applies to the medical exam form known as the I-693, “Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record,” which any immigrant in the U.S. uses to apply for adjustment of status or to become a permanent resident. The change makes the form mandatory for green card applicants, and may also be required of other immigrants applying for different visas at USCIS’s discretion.

Before, USCIS’s policy allowed any I-693 completed and signed by a civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023, to be used indefinitely. However, under USCIS’s new guidance if an application is withdrawn, the I-693 is invalidated, and the applicant must retake the exam.

The decision will likely affect thousands of applicants looking to file their adjustment of status application. The medical exams are similar to physical exams and include checks for specific conditions or diseases that could render a person inadmissible to the U.S. The examiner, a civil surgeon, also checks applicant’s vaccination records and it can cost between $100 and $500.

These immediate changes are amid increased scrutiny of immigrants applying for visas in the U.S. The Trump administration is seeking to crackdown on immigration laws. Some green card holders have reported detention within the U.S. or denied reentry after travel. The government has reemphasized that green cards do not mean citizenship and can still be revoked for reasons including national security and immigration law violations or criminal convictions.

New medical exam form policy takes effect on June 11, 2025, with a new version of the form taking effect on July 3, 2025.

In a separate move, President Donald Trump also announced the launch of a new “gold card” initiative that allows applicants to buy a green card for $5 million, which he claims could help retire the national debt. Legal experts, however, mention that President Trump cannot amend or abolish the EB-5 visa program without congressional approval.