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.
Platner campaign rocked with damning allegations from another ex-lover as Senate race heats up: report
Catholic bishops consecrate US, White House says Trump and Melania ‘join in prayer’ in ‘unprecedented’ gesture
Ilhan Omar Lashes Out at ‘Horrific’ Jerry Seinfeld When He Said Palestine ‘Doesn’t Exist’ After Knicks Game
Karmelo Anthony’s Father Blames ‘White Attorney’ for His Son’s Murder Conviction
Pima County sheriff says Mexican authorities have not made contact over Nancy Guthrie search tip
That Time Leslie Stahl Claimed Hunter’s Laptop Couldn’t Be ‘Verified’ as ’60 Minutes’ Finally Confronts Its Bias
Trump plans to deport Iranians to violence-plagued central African nation in new deal
Trump Admin Shuts Down Mamdani’s Attempt to Meet with Foreign Leader
Police: Father of Seven Killed on NYC Bus After Confronting Rider Over Loud Phone Conversation
FIRST ON FOX: DOJ sues Spanberger’s Virginia over laws kneecapping federal agents as mask war escalates
New Poll: Majority of Americans Want Every Illegal Immigrant Deported
Bill Cassidy goes out in style
Rubio gets somber at UFC event, says world is so polarized there are few things that ‘bring people together’
Mississippi teen allegedly killed elderly couple in their home before firing on deputies in standoff
Convicted killer Karmelo Anthony claims he is ‘penniless’ in appeal despite major donor-funded legal campaign
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.
Platner campaign rocked with damning allegations from another ex-lover as Senate race heats up: report
Catholic bishops consecrate US, White House says Trump and Melania ‘join in prayer’ in ‘unprecedented’ gesture
Ilhan Omar Lashes Out at ‘Horrific’ Jerry Seinfeld When He Said Palestine ‘Doesn’t Exist’ After Knicks Game
Karmelo Anthony’s Father Blames ‘White Attorney’ for His Son’s Murder Conviction
Pima County sheriff says Mexican authorities have not made contact over Nancy Guthrie search tip
That Time Leslie Stahl Claimed Hunter’s Laptop Couldn’t Be ‘Verified’ as ’60 Minutes’ Finally Confronts Its Bias
Trump plans to deport Iranians to violence-plagued central African nation in new deal
Trump Admin Shuts Down Mamdani’s Attempt to Meet with Foreign Leader
Police: Father of Seven Killed on NYC Bus After Confronting Rider Over Loud Phone Conversation
FIRST ON FOX: DOJ sues Spanberger’s Virginia over laws kneecapping federal agents as mask war escalates
New Poll: Majority of Americans Want Every Illegal Immigrant Deported
Bill Cassidy goes out in style
Rubio gets somber at UFC event, says world is so polarized there are few things that ‘bring people together’
Mississippi teen allegedly killed elderly couple in their home before firing on deputies in standoff
Convicted killer Karmelo Anthony claims he is ‘penniless’ in appeal despite major donor-funded legal campaign
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.
