I-945 Update explained. You may have seen posts claiming the public charge bond is “back.” However, that’s not quite true.
On January 22, 2026, USCIS published a notice about Form I-945 (Public Charge Bond). Because of this, confusion spread fast. As a result, many people assumed new requirements had already taken effect.
That is not what happened.
What Actually Changed
USCIS announced it is considering and seeking public feedback on reinstating and updating Form I-945. https://www.uscis.gov/i-945
In other words, USCIS initiated the process to reinstate and amend this form, but it is still ongoing.
At the same time, USCIS commenced a 30-day public comment period, which ends on February 23, 2026.
Notably, no new rule has been created. Additionally, no one is being asked to post a bond right now.
What a Public Charge Bond (I-945) is (and isn’t)
A public charge bond is money paid to the government as a financial guarantee. USCIS could sometimes allow immigrants to post this bond instead of denying a case.
However, be advised that this option is discretionary, not automatic. Because of this, the bond has always been used narrowly, and not all applicants are eligible.
Who Is Generally Exempt
Importantly, public charge does not apply to many humanitarian cases, including:
- VAWA self-petitioners
- Asylees and refugees
- Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJS)
- T-visa and U-visa applicants
- Certain parolees and humanitarian applicants
Because of these exemptions, many people seeing these posts are not affected at all.
Why Social Media Can Be Misleading
Immigration notices often sound urgent. However, not every update has an immediate effect.
Forms cannot be used until the approval process is complete. Because of this, headlines can create fear long before anything changes.
For this reason, it is essential to obtain competent legal guidance.
Bottom Line About USCIS Form I-945
The public charge bond has not returned. Form I-945 is not yet in use, and eligibility rules have not changed.
As always, immigration updates should be reviewed carefully. Before assuming an announcement applies to you, speak with a qualified immigration attorney.
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Disclaimer
This post is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual facts.
