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.
Trump wins two, loses one: Georgia billionaire delivers rare blow to endorsement machine
GOP Gov DeWine urges Ohio to abolish the death penalty, says it is no longer a deterrent
Dems pick potential successor to DC’s congressional delegate after decades-long incumbency
State of play: What to know about potential socialist showdown between Trump and DC mayor as votes pour in
DC Guard shooting suspect stares down death penalty in first court appearance
Trump’s endorsement fails to save MAGA candidate as billionaire advances in key governor race
FDNY deploys 140+ personnel to JFK after Delta flight reported with flat tires on approach to landing
Look: World Cup Fans Visiting for the First Time Fall in Love with America, Go Viral on Blessings We Take for Granted
Trump-backed ‘McCongressman’ wins Oklahoma Senate primary, vows push for stalled SAVE Act
Trump-backed Kevin Hern wins Oklahoma Senate primary to replace Markwayne Mullin
Watch: Misguided Dems Try to Take Viewers from White House UFC Event, Get Stuck with Bette Midler Giving Worst Performance of Her Life
Chick-fil-A Loses Fast-Food Crown for the First Time in 12 Years
Notorious Trans Actor Says He Has Lost Jaw-Dropping Amount of Income Since Trump Stomped DEI – So Where Was It Coming From?
Watch: The Moment Fighter Bo Nickal Literally Jumped the Ring to Get to Trump, Say Words of Respect
Libs Try to Cancel Family-Friendly Comic Nate Bargatze for Trump Birthday Appearance: ‘Done with Him’
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.
Trump wins two, loses one: Georgia billionaire delivers rare blow to endorsement machine
GOP Gov DeWine urges Ohio to abolish the death penalty, says it is no longer a deterrent
Dems pick potential successor to DC’s congressional delegate after decades-long incumbency
State of play: What to know about potential socialist showdown between Trump and DC mayor as votes pour in
DC Guard shooting suspect stares down death penalty in first court appearance
Trump’s endorsement fails to save MAGA candidate as billionaire advances in key governor race
FDNY deploys 140+ personnel to JFK after Delta flight reported with flat tires on approach to landing
Look: World Cup Fans Visiting for the First Time Fall in Love with America, Go Viral on Blessings We Take for Granted
Trump-backed ‘McCongressman’ wins Oklahoma Senate primary, vows push for stalled SAVE Act
Trump-backed Kevin Hern wins Oklahoma Senate primary to replace Markwayne Mullin
Watch: Misguided Dems Try to Take Viewers from White House UFC Event, Get Stuck with Bette Midler Giving Worst Performance of Her Life
Chick-fil-A Loses Fast-Food Crown for the First Time in 12 Years
Notorious Trans Actor Says He Has Lost Jaw-Dropping Amount of Income Since Trump Stomped DEI – So Where Was It Coming From?
Watch: The Moment Fighter Bo Nickal Literally Jumped the Ring to Get to Trump, Say Words of Respect
Libs Try to Cancel Family-Friendly Comic Nate Bargatze for Trump Birthday Appearance: ‘Done with Him’
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.
