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.
Idaho county probation officers compile ‘foreign-born list’ to hand over to ICE as critics raise alarms
Chinese national in blue state charged with illegally voting in federal election under another man’s name: DOJ
Parents seek six figures from surrogate who refused abortion after baby’s heart diagnosis: report
WNBA Subreddit Bans Fans from Even Mentioning Sophie Cunningham After Her Defense of Women’s Sports
Man Once Given ‘Outstanding Refugee’ Award by Minnesota Charged in Massive Medicaid Fraud Scheme
Trump threatens ‘unprecedented’ economic consequences for any nation aiding Iran
Police Report Reveals New Details in Hayden Panettiere’s Death: Ex-Boyfriend and ‘Very Emotional’ Brother Were at Scene
Painful: Watch Darline Graham Completely Blank During Debate, Catastrophically Implode on Simple Nat’l Security Question
El-Sayed reveals he would go ‘step further’ than Sanders on socialist plan for major US industry
Pollster Who Had Thanksgiving-Hating Socialist Up 23 Points Closes Up Shop, Admits to Bungling Wisconsin Race
Colorado black bear dies after becoming trapped inside unlocked car for days: report
The False Moderates, Part 3: Dems Want to Turn Iowa into Illinois, And They’ve Found the Perfect Candidate
Manhunt intensifies for armed woman after veteran Massachusetts police officer found dead at home
Darline Graham Nordone debate fumble spotlights questions on policy views
Trump’s approval rating plummets to new low ahead of critical midterms: ‘More work to do’
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.
Idaho county probation officers compile ‘foreign-born list’ to hand over to ICE as critics raise alarms
Chinese national in blue state charged with illegally voting in federal election under another man’s name: DOJ
Parents seek six figures from surrogate who refused abortion after baby’s heart diagnosis: report
WNBA Subreddit Bans Fans from Even Mentioning Sophie Cunningham After Her Defense of Women’s Sports
Man Once Given ‘Outstanding Refugee’ Award by Minnesota Charged in Massive Medicaid Fraud Scheme
Trump threatens ‘unprecedented’ economic consequences for any nation aiding Iran
Police Report Reveals New Details in Hayden Panettiere’s Death: Ex-Boyfriend and ‘Very Emotional’ Brother Were at Scene
Painful: Watch Darline Graham Completely Blank During Debate, Catastrophically Implode on Simple Nat’l Security Question
El-Sayed reveals he would go ‘step further’ than Sanders on socialist plan for major US industry
Pollster Who Had Thanksgiving-Hating Socialist Up 23 Points Closes Up Shop, Admits to Bungling Wisconsin Race
Colorado black bear dies after becoming trapped inside unlocked car for days: report
The False Moderates, Part 3: Dems Want to Turn Iowa into Illinois, And They’ve Found the Perfect Candidate
Manhunt intensifies for armed woman after veteran Massachusetts police officer found dead at home
Darline Graham Nordone debate fumble spotlights questions on policy views
Trump’s approval rating plummets to new low ahead of critical midterms: ‘More work to do’
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.
