USCIS Revives Form to Ditch Immigrant Bond Burdens
Published Date: 1/22/2026
Notice
Summary
USCIS is bringing back a form that lets people ask to cancel a public charge bond, which helps immigrants avoid extra financial responsibility. They’ve made some updates and want your feedback by February 23, 2026. This affects anyone who posted a public charge bond and wants to officially cancel it, with no new fees but a chance to improve the process.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Form I-356 Returns: Cancel Public Charge Bonds
You can use USCIS Form I-356 to ask to cancel a public charge bond you posted. USCIS will cancel the bond when the alien dies, departs permanently from the United States, or is naturalized, or when USCIS determines the alien is not likely to become a public charge. USCIS will also cancel a bond after reviewing it following the fifth anniversary of the alien's admission or adjustment of status if the alien filed Form I-356 and did not receive public cash assistance for income maintenance or long-term institutionalization before that fifth anniversary.
Estimated Paperwork Burden and Cost
USCIS estimates 10 respondents will use Form I-356 annually, with an average time of 0.75 hours per response and a total annual hour burden of 7.5 hours. USCIS estimates the total annual cost burden associated with this collection is $2,500.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16862, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Employment Eligibility Verification
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments.
2026-16863, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: E-Verify+
The Department of Homeland Security is keeping the E-Verify+ form just as it is and asking the public for feedback until September 18, 2026. This affects employers and workers who use E-Verify+ to confirm work eligibility, with no changes to the form or extra costs. They’re simply extending the approval to keep things running smoothly without any new paperwork hassles.
2026-13640, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Application for Civil Surgeon Designation
USCIS is keeping the Application for Civil Surgeon Designation form just as it is and asking the public for any last thoughts before renewing approval. This affects doctors who want to become official Civil Surgeons for immigration medical exams. No changes or new costs are coming, but comments are open until August 6, 2026.
2026-12869, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: myE-Verify Program
The Department of Homeland Security is keeping the myE-Verify program’s info collection going without any changes. This affects employers and workers who use myE-Verify to confirm work eligibility. They’re asking for public comments until July 27, 2026, but there’s no new cost or paperwork burden coming your way.
2026-10664, Agency Information Collection Activities; Revision of a Currently Approved Collection: Immigrant Petition for the Gold Card Program
USCIS is updating the form for the Gold Card Program, which helps immigrants apply for special status. They’re asking the public to share thoughts by June 29, 2026, before finalizing changes. This update aims to make the process smoother without adding extra costs or delays.
2026-10442, Agency Information Collection Activities; Reinstatement, With Change, of a Previously Approved Collection for Which Approval Has Expired: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker: H-2A Classification
USCIS is bringing back and updating the form employers use to petition for temporary farm workers under the H-2A visa program. This affects farmers and businesses hiring seasonal workers, with a 30-day public comment period ending June 26, 2026. The changes aim to improve the process without adding extra costs or delays.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-01105, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
The FCC is checking in on some paperwork rules for businesses, nonprofits, and local governments involved with the Uniendo a Puerto Rico and Connect USVI funds. They want your thoughts on how to make these forms easier and less time-consuming, especially for small businesses. If you have ideas, send them in by March 23, 2026—this could save folks hours and maybe some headaches!
Next: 2026-01107, Notice of Public Meeting of the Oklahoma Advisory Committee
The Oklahoma Advisory Committee will hold a virtual meeting on January 27, 2026, to review and discuss their new project proposal. Anyone interested can join online or by phone, share their thoughts during the open comment time, or send written comments within 30 days. This meeting affects Oklahoma residents and anyone interested in civil rights progress, with no costs to attend but possible phone charges for callers.