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.
Musk Set to Become History’s First Trillionaire with Tesla Shareholders’ Massive Pay Package
Scott Jennings Takes Parting Shot at Pelosi Over Suspicious Trading After Retirement Announcement
Court strikes down Ohio school’s pronoun policy in win for parental rights group
Suspicious package sickens several at Joint Base Andrews, home to Air Force One
Lawmakers budge, ushering in government shutdown’s potential ‘end of the beginning’
Key Trump ally jumps into New York governor’s race days after shocking Mamdani mayoral victory
Left-wing candidate who lashed out at GOP senator with death threats failed to advance in local race
State Department revoked more than 80K nonimmigrant visas this year, including 8K student visas
Trump says more nations lining up to join Abraham Accords after Kazakhstan
‘Charlie Would Be Proud’: Turning Point Helps Deliver ‘A Huge Bright Spot’ in Arizona on a Tough Election Night
Travel industry sounds alarm over how shutdown will impact Americans ahead of Thanksgiving
Video: Trump Oval Office Announcement Cut Short After Man Suffers Medical Emergency
Man with violent criminal history on parole allegedly stabs teen to death: officials
Trump Administration Says November SNAP Payments Will Be Higher Than Initially Thought
DOJ appeals judge’s order forcing the release of grand jury materials in Comey case
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.
Musk Set to Become History’s First Trillionaire with Tesla Shareholders’ Massive Pay Package
Scott Jennings Takes Parting Shot at Pelosi Over Suspicious Trading After Retirement Announcement
Court strikes down Ohio school’s pronoun policy in win for parental rights group
Suspicious package sickens several at Joint Base Andrews, home to Air Force One
Lawmakers budge, ushering in government shutdown’s potential ‘end of the beginning’
Key Trump ally jumps into New York governor’s race days after shocking Mamdani mayoral victory
Left-wing candidate who lashed out at GOP senator with death threats failed to advance in local race
State Department revoked more than 80K nonimmigrant visas this year, including 8K student visas
Trump says more nations lining up to join Abraham Accords after Kazakhstan
‘Charlie Would Be Proud’: Turning Point Helps Deliver ‘A Huge Bright Spot’ in Arizona on a Tough Election Night
Travel industry sounds alarm over how shutdown will impact Americans ahead of Thanksgiving
Video: Trump Oval Office Announcement Cut Short After Man Suffers Medical Emergency
Man with violent criminal history on parole allegedly stabs teen to death: officials
Trump Administration Says November SNAP Payments Will Be Higher Than Initially Thought
DOJ appeals judge’s order forcing the release of grand jury materials in Comey case
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.
