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.
GOP redistricting scheme goes awry
In a new version of Stephen King’s classic, we get the ‘Carrie’ we deserve
Patrick Stewart, 1940-2026
‘Squad’ member urges Dems to take advantage of midterm sweep by passing far-left policies
Inside ICE’s high-stakes raids targeting illegal migrants in NYC as chief rips sanctuary laws
Trump admin sues Penn State over in-state tuition policy for undocumented migrants
Colorado police officer killed, 3 more officers wounded after suspect opens fire near bus
Trump’s massive Arlington triumphal arch approved for construction by federal planning commission
Indiana, Florida and Alabama carry out rare US triple execution day
Watch: DeSantis Nails Midterm Blowout with Blunt Talk on Thune’s GOP Senate – ‘They Didn’t Even Attempt’ Bold Conservatism
Military Identifies Remains of WWII Soldier Who Served in Legendary Merrill’s Marauders
Big Blue Wave Gives Democrats the Power to Effectively End the Electoral College Before 2028
Vance ‘privately’ blasts Netanyahu as Iran war divides Trump administration and 2028 ambitions loom
Child molester’s looming prison release reignites sanctuary showdown in wake of Dem election sweep
DOJ Launches Criminal Investigation Into Leak of Supreme Court Decision That Overturned Roe v. Wade
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.
GOP redistricting scheme goes awry
In a new version of Stephen King’s classic, we get the ‘Carrie’ we deserve
Patrick Stewart, 1940-2026
‘Squad’ member urges Dems to take advantage of midterm sweep by passing far-left policies
Inside ICE’s high-stakes raids targeting illegal migrants in NYC as chief rips sanctuary laws
Trump admin sues Penn State over in-state tuition policy for undocumented migrants
Colorado police officer killed, 3 more officers wounded after suspect opens fire near bus
Trump’s massive Arlington triumphal arch approved for construction by federal planning commission
Indiana, Florida and Alabama carry out rare US triple execution day
Watch: DeSantis Nails Midterm Blowout with Blunt Talk on Thune’s GOP Senate – ‘They Didn’t Even Attempt’ Bold Conservatism
Military Identifies Remains of WWII Soldier Who Served in Legendary Merrill’s Marauders
Big Blue Wave Gives Democrats the Power to Effectively End the Electoral College Before 2028
Vance ‘privately’ blasts Netanyahu as Iran war divides Trump administration and 2028 ambitions loom
Child molester’s looming prison release reignites sanctuary showdown in wake of Dem election sweep
DOJ Launches Criminal Investigation Into Leak of Supreme Court Decision That Overturned Roe v. Wade
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.
