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.
Florida GOP candidate launches Tinder account to campaign to young female voters
Billie Eilish’s ‘Stolen Land’ Grammy Lecture Hilariously Backfires – Tribe That Claims Land Under Her Mansion Calls Her Out
FLASHBACK: 2024’s immigration ground zero in spotlight again as judge’s 11th hour ruling sparks outrage
Police Sources Detail Grim Findings in the House of Savannah Guthrie’s Mother
Noem responds to Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish bashing ICE at Grammys: ‘I wish they knew’
Top teachers union under fire as lawmakers push to strip union of unique federal charter: ‘Lost their way’
‘Very Frustrating’: House Democrats Disgruntled with Senate Democrats Over Spending Package
WATCH: CNN’s Scott Jennings Hits Singer Billie Eilish With Reality Check Following Her Comments About ICE And ‘Stolen Land’
Timeline: NBC host Savannah Guthrie’s mother disappears as sheriff says she may have been ‘abducted’
Rhode Island activist slams adult-run nonprofit that promoted ‘student-led’ anti-ICE school walkout
Trump urges Republicans to ‘nationalize’ voting
Massive Minnesota fraud case puts AG Keith Ellison under microscope as climate ties resurface
Norwegian royals implode with Epstein emails, son re-arrested ahead of his rape trial
Teachers unions lead Portland uprisings against ICE with children present
Multi-level marketing ventures found to fund Republicans and win concessions
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.
Florida GOP candidate launches Tinder account to campaign to young female voters
Billie Eilish’s ‘Stolen Land’ Grammy Lecture Hilariously Backfires – Tribe That Claims Land Under Her Mansion Calls Her Out
FLASHBACK: 2024’s immigration ground zero in spotlight again as judge’s 11th hour ruling sparks outrage
Police Sources Detail Grim Findings in the House of Savannah Guthrie’s Mother
Noem responds to Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish bashing ICE at Grammys: ‘I wish they knew’
Top teachers union under fire as lawmakers push to strip union of unique federal charter: ‘Lost their way’
‘Very Frustrating’: House Democrats Disgruntled with Senate Democrats Over Spending Package
WATCH: CNN’s Scott Jennings Hits Singer Billie Eilish With Reality Check Following Her Comments About ICE And ‘Stolen Land’
Timeline: NBC host Savannah Guthrie’s mother disappears as sheriff says she may have been ‘abducted’
Rhode Island activist slams adult-run nonprofit that promoted ‘student-led’ anti-ICE school walkout
Trump urges Republicans to ‘nationalize’ voting
Massive Minnesota fraud case puts AG Keith Ellison under microscope as climate ties resurface
Norwegian royals implode with Epstein emails, son re-arrested ahead of his rape trial
Teachers unions lead Portland uprisings against ICE with children present
Multi-level marketing ventures found to fund Republicans and win concessions
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.
