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.
UFC Weigh-in at Freedom 250: Photos
Fox News Campus Radicals Newsletter: Anti-Kirk teacher honored, ICE supporter expelled, Pride display problem
Judge defends barring cameras from Karmelo Anthony murder trial, says it was ‘an easy decision’
Armed Citizens Stop Supermarket Shooter In Missouri
New Declassified Docs Give Tulsi Gabbard The Last Laugh On Ukrainian Biolabs
Socialist Mayor Floats Taking Guns Away From Pimps Instead Of Just Arresting Them For Trafficking
Leading Democrat Senate Candidate’s Ex-Staffer Charged For Alleged Pro-Terrorist Vandalism
Obama Presidential Center’s $470M safety net under scrutiny as subcontractors say they’re owed millions
Trump picks James McDonald to lead powerful Southern District of New York after Jay Clayton’s departure
Texas GOP convention’s live elephant steals the show — for all the wrong reasons
Rubio, Newsom share World Cup spotlight at US opener as 2028 presidential speculation swirls
Multiple people wounded in shooting at South Carolina’s largest mall, authorities detain suspects
Helicopter footage captures Florida man allegedly abandoning child during high-speed chase from deputies
Death threats from ‘TDS’ song show it’s ‘about the right thing’: Natasha Owens
Workers rip Trump name from Kennedy center facade months after it goes on, hours after failed appeal
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.
UFC Weigh-in at Freedom 250: Photos
Fox News Campus Radicals Newsletter: Anti-Kirk teacher honored, ICE supporter expelled, Pride display problem
Judge defends barring cameras from Karmelo Anthony murder trial, says it was ‘an easy decision’
Armed Citizens Stop Supermarket Shooter In Missouri
New Declassified Docs Give Tulsi Gabbard The Last Laugh On Ukrainian Biolabs
Socialist Mayor Floats Taking Guns Away From Pimps Instead Of Just Arresting Them For Trafficking
Leading Democrat Senate Candidate’s Ex-Staffer Charged For Alleged Pro-Terrorist Vandalism
Obama Presidential Center’s $470M safety net under scrutiny as subcontractors say they’re owed millions
Trump picks James McDonald to lead powerful Southern District of New York after Jay Clayton’s departure
Texas GOP convention’s live elephant steals the show — for all the wrong reasons
Rubio, Newsom share World Cup spotlight at US opener as 2028 presidential speculation swirls
Multiple people wounded in shooting at South Carolina’s largest mall, authorities detain suspects
Helicopter footage captures Florida man allegedly abandoning child during high-speed chase from deputies
Death threats from ‘TDS’ song show it’s ‘about the right thing’: Natasha Owens
Workers rip Trump name from Kennedy center facade months after it goes on, hours after failed appeal
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.
