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.
Hollywood Star Arrested, Charged After Altercation: ‘Held Down Until Police Arrived’
NYC Board of Elections worker says ‘not my job to report anyone’ when asked about registering non-citizens
Gun store owner says FBI asked him to check firearm sales against list of names, pics in Guthrie case
Mike Lee calls Schumer’s ‘Jim Crow 2.0’ attack on voter ID bill ‘paranoid fantasy’
Palestinian activist accused of expressing desire to ‘kill Jews’ wins deportation case
Air Force One scraps iconic Kennedy-era paint scheme for Trump-approved red, white, blue design
Inside world’s top science society’s convention bashing Trump, pushing DEI, pronouns: ‘Felt like a funeral’
How did Jeffrey Epstein get rich? Meet Les Wexner, the ex-Victoria’s Secret CEO who once worked with him
Mistrial declared in Texas ICE detention center ambush trial over defense lawyer’s T-shirt
Firebrand conservatives set to duke it out in GOP Texas AG debate
Remembering Rush Limbaugh, Five Years to the Day After His Passing
Genetic genealogy that caught notorious killers now used in Nancy Guthrie case
ALERT: Gunman Arrested at Capitol Today – Carrying Loaded Shotgun, Wearing Tactical Vest
Dem governor’s ‘dangerous’ anti-ICE law ignites backlash after alleged box cutter attack by illegal alien
‘Giving judicial saboteurs new tools’: Conservatives slam new ethics guidance for federal judges
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.
Hollywood Star Arrested, Charged After Altercation: ‘Held Down Until Police Arrived’
NYC Board of Elections worker says ‘not my job to report anyone’ when asked about registering non-citizens
Gun store owner says FBI asked him to check firearm sales against list of names, pics in Guthrie case
Mike Lee calls Schumer’s ‘Jim Crow 2.0’ attack on voter ID bill ‘paranoid fantasy’
Palestinian activist accused of expressing desire to ‘kill Jews’ wins deportation case
Air Force One scraps iconic Kennedy-era paint scheme for Trump-approved red, white, blue design
Inside world’s top science society’s convention bashing Trump, pushing DEI, pronouns: ‘Felt like a funeral’
How did Jeffrey Epstein get rich? Meet Les Wexner, the ex-Victoria’s Secret CEO who once worked with him
Mistrial declared in Texas ICE detention center ambush trial over defense lawyer’s T-shirt
Firebrand conservatives set to duke it out in GOP Texas AG debate
Remembering Rush Limbaugh, Five Years to the Day After His Passing
Genetic genealogy that caught notorious killers now used in Nancy Guthrie case
ALERT: Gunman Arrested at Capitol Today – Carrying Loaded Shotgun, Wearing Tactical Vest
Dem governor’s ‘dangerous’ anti-ICE law ignites backlash after alleged box cutter attack by illegal alien
‘Giving judicial saboteurs new tools’: Conservatives slam new ethics guidance for federal judges
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.
