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 indicates support for Christian-backed plan to help Canadian Jews escape antisemitism
Massive AI boom puts one of America’s oldest manufacturers on path to double in size, CEO says
Record High Americans Smoke Marijuana While Record Low Smoke Cigarettes
When DEI Becomes DIE: The Tragic Case Of Jason Arday
Huckleberry Finn And the New York Times’ Censor’s Logic
Hegseth Responds to Rumored 2028 Presidential Run
Colorado city leader dies after collapsing on mountain hike: ‘Loss for our city’
Death toll rises to 38 after Russian strike on Ukrainian warehouse
Republicans tighten screws on Sherrill as noncitizen voter probe enters new phase
Dem Senate hopeful pivots on data centers as rising power costs collide with campaign
Study Links Gender Ideology And Support For Political Violence
Social media influencer pleads guilty after prank videos at Arizona Chipotle, other businesses
Turns Out AI Wrote Billionaire’s Widely-Cited Anti-Scott Bessent Op-Ed
Silicon Valley exec ignites firestorm after accusing JD Vance of bringing DEI back
West Virginia looks to AI data center boom to help eliminate state income tax
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 indicates support for Christian-backed plan to help Canadian Jews escape antisemitism
Massive AI boom puts one of America’s oldest manufacturers on path to double in size, CEO says
Record High Americans Smoke Marijuana While Record Low Smoke Cigarettes
When DEI Becomes DIE: The Tragic Case Of Jason Arday
Huckleberry Finn And the New York Times’ Censor’s Logic
Hegseth Responds to Rumored 2028 Presidential Run
Colorado city leader dies after collapsing on mountain hike: ‘Loss for our city’
Death toll rises to 38 after Russian strike on Ukrainian warehouse
Republicans tighten screws on Sherrill as noncitizen voter probe enters new phase
Dem Senate hopeful pivots on data centers as rising power costs collide with campaign
Study Links Gender Ideology And Support For Political Violence
Social media influencer pleads guilty after prank videos at Arizona Chipotle, other businesses
Turns Out AI Wrote Billionaire’s Widely-Cited Anti-Scott Bessent Op-Ed
Silicon Valley exec ignites firestorm after accusing JD Vance of bringing DEI back
West Virginia looks to AI data center boom to help eliminate state income tax
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.
