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.
MN lawmakers unload on Walz’s ‘legacy’ after he touts fraud record in final annual address: ‘Ridiculous’
DNC chair ripped for downplaying unreleased 2024 autopsy after Dem losses: ‘Self-inflicted crisis’
DOJ weighs new classified leak charges against Comey as legal pressure escalates
Report: Dem Senate Candidate Deleted Thousands of Radical Tweets, Bashed Middle America: ‘Wish I Never Left California’
GOP warns Trump over war powers deadline amid Iran standstill
House Dem Invokes ‘Nazi’ War Crimes in Attack on Hegseth Over Caribbean Strikes as Rhetoric Escalates
Louisiana to go ahead with primary election for all races besides six House seats
Trump ends DHS’ months-long nightmare that left immigration enforcement without funding
Chick-fil-A employee busted in bizarre $80K mac-and-cheese theft scheme
Mark Sanford quits House race after one month, says fighting national debt is better done outside politics
‘Giggling’ cop killing suspect slammed by judge as prosecutors fought bail release for repeat felony offender
DOJ Uncovers Numerous Ways the Biden Admin ‘Devastated the Lives of Many Christian Americans’
US Moves to Deploy Never-Before-Used ‘Dark Eagle’ Weapons System Against Iran
Cole Allen concedes to stay in jail ahead of Trump assassination attempt trial
Trump was ‘one door away’ from danger, GOP lawmakers says as he demands Secret Service explanation
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.
MN lawmakers unload on Walz’s ‘legacy’ after he touts fraud record in final annual address: ‘Ridiculous’
DNC chair ripped for downplaying unreleased 2024 autopsy after Dem losses: ‘Self-inflicted crisis’
DOJ weighs new classified leak charges against Comey as legal pressure escalates
Report: Dem Senate Candidate Deleted Thousands of Radical Tweets, Bashed Middle America: ‘Wish I Never Left California’
GOP warns Trump over war powers deadline amid Iran standstill
House Dem Invokes ‘Nazi’ War Crimes in Attack on Hegseth Over Caribbean Strikes as Rhetoric Escalates
Louisiana to go ahead with primary election for all races besides six House seats
Trump ends DHS’ months-long nightmare that left immigration enforcement without funding
Chick-fil-A employee busted in bizarre $80K mac-and-cheese theft scheme
Mark Sanford quits House race after one month, says fighting national debt is better done outside politics
‘Giggling’ cop killing suspect slammed by judge as prosecutors fought bail release for repeat felony offender
DOJ Uncovers Numerous Ways the Biden Admin ‘Devastated the Lives of Many Christian Americans’
US Moves to Deploy Never-Before-Used ‘Dark Eagle’ Weapons System Against Iran
Cole Allen concedes to stay in jail ahead of Trump assassination attempt trial
Trump was ‘one door away’ from danger, GOP lawmakers says as he demands Secret Service explanation
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.
