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.
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he won’t fire NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch despite socialist pressure
Trump signs pardons for Alaska diesel mechanics onstage during rally touting major energy deals
Trump Energy Department issues emergency order to prevent blackouts across 13 states amid unusual October heat
Florida executes inmate who killed cellmate because he wanted death penalty
Campaign Blunder Causes Ad for Key Senate Race to Air in the Wrong State on the Opposite End of the Country
Breaking: DOJ Subpoenas Ilhan Omar’s Sister, Other Family Over Evidence of Fraudulent Immigration Paperwork
Watch: Indiana Dem Accused of Being Drunk On Air After Eye-Popping Interview Makes Kamala Look Like Stone Sober Genius
Daily Wire Reveals New Movie Featuring Star-Studded Cast, Including Rob Lowe and James Franco
Pentagon pushes hypersonic weapons production as startups slash costs
Bill Allowing Victims to Sue Judges, Others Who Let Illegals Run Wild Is Quietly Advancing in Congress
‘Bonnie and Clyde’ illegal immigrant couple accused of brazen jewelry theft spree across four states
Democratic Senator Accused of Violating Federal Law with Anti-White X Post
Dem candidate’s bizarre anti-MAGA tirade ends with ‘we have guns too’
UK warns Iran is targeting ‘military sites’ as US and allies recognize growing threat of IRGC ‘hybrid activities’
Coast Guard firefight puts US, Mexico at odds despite coordinated border operations
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.
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he won’t fire NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch despite socialist pressure
Trump signs pardons for Alaska diesel mechanics onstage during rally touting major energy deals
Trump Energy Department issues emergency order to prevent blackouts across 13 states amid unusual October heat
Florida executes inmate who killed cellmate because he wanted death penalty
Campaign Blunder Causes Ad for Key Senate Race to Air in the Wrong State on the Opposite End of the Country
Breaking: DOJ Subpoenas Ilhan Omar’s Sister, Other Family Over Evidence of Fraudulent Immigration Paperwork
Watch: Indiana Dem Accused of Being Drunk On Air After Eye-Popping Interview Makes Kamala Look Like Stone Sober Genius
Daily Wire Reveals New Movie Featuring Star-Studded Cast, Including Rob Lowe and James Franco
Pentagon pushes hypersonic weapons production as startups slash costs
Bill Allowing Victims to Sue Judges, Others Who Let Illegals Run Wild Is Quietly Advancing in Congress
‘Bonnie and Clyde’ illegal immigrant couple accused of brazen jewelry theft spree across four states
Democratic Senator Accused of Violating Federal Law with Anti-White X Post
Dem candidate’s bizarre anti-MAGA tirade ends with ‘we have guns too’
UK warns Iran is targeting ‘military sites’ as US and allies recognize growing threat of IRGC ‘hybrid activities’
Coast Guard firefight puts US, Mexico at odds despite coordinated border operations
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.
