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.
Senate Republicans push for House GOP rebellion against funding package, voter ID legislation
From Rodney King to Spitting and Kicking Alex Pretti, the Left’s Flawed Hero Worship Never Changes
Former Planned Parenthood Worker Gives Haunting Account of Her Past Work
What Trump’s next pick to lead the Federal Reserve means for your wallet
Hunter S. Thompson suicide ruling stands firm after 20-year review by Colorado investigators
The Left Doesn’t Care About Children, They Care About Using Them Because They Know You Care So Much
Black Pastor Gives Don Lemon a Warning After Storming Church: ‘Don Lemon, Don’t Come Here’
Potential Walz successor unleashes on state’s sanctuary policies: ‘The rule of law matters’
High-end car hustle crashes as couple accused of flipping luxury rides with bogus titles
Dems score big in typically red Texas district that Trump easily won in 2024
GOP reckons with Trump’s ICE blunders: ‘Defeat out of the jaws of victory’
Pro-Kamala Group Goes Dark After Getting Caught Fundraising Off Alex Pretti’s Death
Minneapolis ICE Haters Hauled Away in Cuffs Over Obnoxious, Illegal Tactic
MAGA queen of rap: Nicki Minaj becomes Trump’s newest White House surrogate
Trump says Iran ‘seriously talking to us’ as military ships head to Middle East
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.
Senate Republicans push for House GOP rebellion against funding package, voter ID legislation
From Rodney King to Spitting and Kicking Alex Pretti, the Left’s Flawed Hero Worship Never Changes
Former Planned Parenthood Worker Gives Haunting Account of Her Past Work
What Trump’s next pick to lead the Federal Reserve means for your wallet
Hunter S. Thompson suicide ruling stands firm after 20-year review by Colorado investigators
The Left Doesn’t Care About Children, They Care About Using Them Because They Know You Care So Much
Black Pastor Gives Don Lemon a Warning After Storming Church: ‘Don Lemon, Don’t Come Here’
Potential Walz successor unleashes on state’s sanctuary policies: ‘The rule of law matters’
High-end car hustle crashes as couple accused of flipping luxury rides with bogus titles
Dems score big in typically red Texas district that Trump easily won in 2024
GOP reckons with Trump’s ICE blunders: ‘Defeat out of the jaws of victory’
Pro-Kamala Group Goes Dark After Getting Caught Fundraising Off Alex Pretti’s Death
Minneapolis ICE Haters Hauled Away in Cuffs Over Obnoxious, Illegal Tactic
MAGA queen of rap: Nicki Minaj becomes Trump’s newest White House surrogate
Trump says Iran ‘seriously talking to us’ as military ships head to Middle East
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.
