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.
Ellen DeGeneres Comes Crawling Back to US After Fleeing Post-Trump Victory, Buys $27 Million California Mansion
Virginia Democrat gives profanity-laced response to Cruz’s criticism of the state’s redistricting push
Trump Admin Discovers ‘Staggering’ Billions Stolen in Suspected California Small Business Fraud
Two teens arrested after 15-year-old shot near Washington DC’s Union Station
Bishop Ronald Hicks replaces Dolan as Archbishop of New York with installation at St Patrick’s
Trump Announces ‘Clues’ Found in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance: ‘We Could Have Some Answers’
Man arrested for allegedly threatening to kill JD Vance was in possession of child sexual abuse materials: DOJ
‘Superhuman’ Boy, 13, Swims 4 Hours in Frigid Water then Runs Over a Mile to Rescue His Mother, Sister, and Brother Lost at Sea
Trump says nuclear talks in Oman were ‘very good,’ claims Iran wants a deal ‘very badly’
DeSantis celebrates end of ‘witch hunt’ after Trump DOJ reportedly drops Hope Florida Foundation complaint
Trump vows to ‘unleash’ commercial fishing off New England, reversing Obama-era Atlantic restrictions
Ex-‘Squad’ Dem appears to be leaning on radical activist at center of damning Tlaib report in comeback bid
Deadly Consequences: Illegal Alien Who Was Released by Biden Administration Accused of Killing Innocent Man
Virginia Dems take tax hikes into overtime, target fantasy football leagues
Republican majority at risk? A look at the 6 GOP Senate seats most in jeopardy in midterm elections
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.
Ellen DeGeneres Comes Crawling Back to US After Fleeing Post-Trump Victory, Buys $27 Million California Mansion
Virginia Democrat gives profanity-laced response to Cruz’s criticism of the state’s redistricting push
Trump Admin Discovers ‘Staggering’ Billions Stolen in Suspected California Small Business Fraud
Two teens arrested after 15-year-old shot near Washington DC’s Union Station
Bishop Ronald Hicks replaces Dolan as Archbishop of New York with installation at St Patrick’s
Trump Announces ‘Clues’ Found in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance: ‘We Could Have Some Answers’
Man arrested for allegedly threatening to kill JD Vance was in possession of child sexual abuse materials: DOJ
‘Superhuman’ Boy, 13, Swims 4 Hours in Frigid Water then Runs Over a Mile to Rescue His Mother, Sister, and Brother Lost at Sea
Trump says nuclear talks in Oman were ‘very good,’ claims Iran wants a deal ‘very badly’
DeSantis celebrates end of ‘witch hunt’ after Trump DOJ reportedly drops Hope Florida Foundation complaint
Trump vows to ‘unleash’ commercial fishing off New England, reversing Obama-era Atlantic restrictions
Ex-‘Squad’ Dem appears to be leaning on radical activist at center of damning Tlaib report in comeback bid
Deadly Consequences: Illegal Alien Who Was Released by Biden Administration Accused of Killing Innocent Man
Virginia Dems take tax hikes into overtime, target fantasy football leagues
Republican majority at risk? A look at the 6 GOP Senate seats most in jeopardy in midterm elections
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.
