Immigrants who get tested or treated for the coronavirus will not be penalized when applying for citizenship under a public charge rule that restricts green cards for those who use taxpayer-funded services.
In a statement, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said that it is encouraging anyone with symptoms of the COVID-19 to seek medical treatment.
“Such treatment or preventive services will not negatively affect any alien as part of a future Public Charge analysis,” the agency said.
“To address the possibility that some aliens impacted by COVID-19 may be hesitant to seek necessary medical treatment or preventive services, USCIS will neither consider testing, treatment, nor preventative care (including vaccines, if a vaccine becomes available) related to COVID-19 as part of a public charge inadmissibility determination,” the agency continued.
The public charge rule went into effect last week after the Supreme Court in January allowed the Trump administration to enforce it.
Reagan National Airport makes drastic change following deadly 2025 midair collision
Watch: Little League Coach Declares, ‘Jesus Is Still Lord’ Live on ESPN
El-Sayed’s half sister offered Oct 7 ‘blessing,’ one year after Hamas attack: ‘Allahu Akbar’
President Trump claims AOC, far-left Democrats are backing away from controversial positions
EXCLUSIVE: Kennedy Center board moves to name grounds ‘President Donald J Trump Plaza’
Netanyahu mocks UK as ‘Islamic Republic of Britain’
Trump Was Right All Along About Democrats’ Late-Term Abortion Agenda
Brave widow of slain UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson comes face to face with Luigi Mangione for first time
Houston police shoot gunman who indiscriminately fired on vehicles, injuring a mother and daughter
CNN’s Scott Jennings is Too Talented for the Network – Which is Why He Should Replace Karoline Leavitt
Exclusive: RNC Condemns DNC Vote to Abolish ICE – Party Has Been Overtaken by Socialists
GSA finds China-made tech labeled ‘Made in USA’ in federal procurement program, orders sweeping review
Darline Graham Nordone nabs Senate runoff endorsement from ex-primary rival Russell Fry
Danish PM calls migrants with ‘Islamic background’ the greatest threat as Europe braces for second migrant wave
‘Raw material for election fraud’: Expert flags voter-roll problems far beyond one state
The rule essentially restricts immigrants entering the United States if the government believes they will rely on public assistance such as welfare or health care and housing benefits. Lower federal courts had blocked the rule from enforcing before the high court ruling.
Ken Cuccinelli, acting deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, assured lawmakers last week in a closed-door briefing that immigrants seeking coronavirus testing or treatment would not be penalized.
Several Democratic lawmakers praised the USCIS announcement.
Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, called it “an important first step,” according to CQ Roll Call.
“COVID-19 does not differentiate between the wealthy and poor or immigrants and citizens – therefore, we must close any gaps in our health system so that everyone has the same access to care right now,” he said in a statement.
Reagan National Airport makes drastic change following deadly 2025 midair collision
Watch: Little League Coach Declares, ‘Jesus Is Still Lord’ Live on ESPN
El-Sayed’s half sister offered Oct 7 ‘blessing,’ one year after Hamas attack: ‘Allahu Akbar’
President Trump claims AOC, far-left Democrats are backing away from controversial positions
EXCLUSIVE: Kennedy Center board moves to name grounds ‘President Donald J Trump Plaza’
Netanyahu mocks UK as ‘Islamic Republic of Britain’
Trump Was Right All Along About Democrats’ Late-Term Abortion Agenda
Brave widow of slain UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson comes face to face with Luigi Mangione for first time
Houston police shoot gunman who indiscriminately fired on vehicles, injuring a mother and daughter
CNN’s Scott Jennings is Too Talented for the Network – Which is Why He Should Replace Karoline Leavitt
Exclusive: RNC Condemns DNC Vote to Abolish ICE – Party Has Been Overtaken by Socialists
GSA finds China-made tech labeled ‘Made in USA’ in federal procurement program, orders sweeping review
Darline Graham Nordone nabs Senate runoff endorsement from ex-primary rival Russell Fry
Danish PM calls migrants with ‘Islamic background’ the greatest threat as Europe braces for second migrant wave
‘Raw material for election fraud’: Expert flags voter-roll problems far beyond one state
Rep. Norma Torres, D-Calif., an opponent of the public charge rule, also commended the agency.
“I see this as a signal from the USCIS that they recognize that American lives potentially are at risk due to this public charge rule,” Torres said. “We have to encourage people to come forward. I want to make sure that everyone in the household that might have been in contact with somebody that has been infected with coronavirus is able to get tested and get treatment.”
Story cited here.
