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.
Breaking: Kristi Noem Out as Trump’s Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas
FBI returns ‘Most Wanted’ fraudster to US after India arrest in alleged $600K SNAP food stamp fraud scheme
Trans neo-Nazi accused of plotting Hindu temple massacre, will receive hormone treatment in jail: officials
Washington Post Now Luring Women to OnlyFans, Suggesting Pay up to 1,600x Higher Than What Most Women Make
‘Oh, shut up!’: Democrat snaps at Collins after heckler drives Maine Senate debate off the rails
Kelly Clarkson Gets Worst Backup Possible as Loathed Star Kathy Griffin Comes to Her Defense in Insane Feud with Small Shop Owner
‘Suspicious Mailings’ Containing ‘Unknown Substance’ Sent to Offices of Marco Rubio and Other Politicians: FBI
Can cooking for terrorists bar asylum? Supreme Court takes up unusual case with broader immigration stakes
Breaking: 3 Children, 1 Adult Killed in Elementary School Shooting
Marjorie Taylor Greene Lashes Out at Trump, Defends Ilhan Omar, Whom She Tried to Censure
Alleged leftist militants charged with gun crime just before Trump stopped enforcement
Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate John James skips Vance rally, citing debate prep
Hollywood Mega Producer Admits to Joe Rogan That Once Societies Abandon God, They Turn To Tyranny
Active shooter report at Oregon elementary school draws large police response
‘One of a Kind’ Pastor Serving in Trump Administration Dies at Age 47
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.
Breaking: Kristi Noem Out as Trump’s Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas
FBI returns ‘Most Wanted’ fraudster to US after India arrest in alleged $600K SNAP food stamp fraud scheme
Trans neo-Nazi accused of plotting Hindu temple massacre, will receive hormone treatment in jail: officials
Washington Post Now Luring Women to OnlyFans, Suggesting Pay up to 1,600x Higher Than What Most Women Make
‘Oh, shut up!’: Democrat snaps at Collins after heckler drives Maine Senate debate off the rails
Kelly Clarkson Gets Worst Backup Possible as Loathed Star Kathy Griffin Comes to Her Defense in Insane Feud with Small Shop Owner
‘Suspicious Mailings’ Containing ‘Unknown Substance’ Sent to Offices of Marco Rubio and Other Politicians: FBI
Can cooking for terrorists bar asylum? Supreme Court takes up unusual case with broader immigration stakes
Breaking: 3 Children, 1 Adult Killed in Elementary School Shooting
Marjorie Taylor Greene Lashes Out at Trump, Defends Ilhan Omar, Whom She Tried to Censure
Alleged leftist militants charged with gun crime just before Trump stopped enforcement
Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate John James skips Vance rally, citing debate prep
Hollywood Mega Producer Admits to Joe Rogan That Once Societies Abandon God, They Turn To Tyranny
Active shooter report at Oregon elementary school draws large police response
‘One of a Kind’ Pastor Serving in Trump Administration Dies at Age 47
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.
