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.
Trump Admin Announces Intent to Remove Tax-Exempt Status from Woke Private Colleges
Watch: JD Vance Pays Tribute to Karoline Leavitt in First White House Press Briefing Since Her Departure
Dramatic video shows SWAT vehicle ramming tractor during tense Oregon standoff
Smithsonian showdown intensifies as Trump administration issues a stark new warning
White House rips ‘activist’ Biden judge who upended Trump birthright citizenship order
Spanish prime minister promises to release all files on Ceuta invasion as thousands of illegal immigrants remain in enclave
Steel Across America tour lands at Fenway Park ahead of 25th anniversary of 9/11
Maria Bartiromo no longer with Fox News
Plane Carrying DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin Forced to Make Emergency Landing
Lindsay Clancy Effect? Child, 2, Pronounced Dead, Mother Hospitalized in ‘Domestic-Related Homicide’ in Sleepy Suburb
Blue state governor candidate claims he ‘met Satan in person’ in resurfaced podcast episode
Mamdani gives influencers special access as Signal use raises records-law questions
Democrats in Close Midterm Races Keep Telling Kamala Harris to Stay Away
Lindsay Clancy Fans Start Sick TikTok Trend Pretending to Kill Their Babies
Minneapolis apartment shooting suspect was facing eviction: report
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.
Trump Admin Announces Intent to Remove Tax-Exempt Status from Woke Private Colleges
Watch: JD Vance Pays Tribute to Karoline Leavitt in First White House Press Briefing Since Her Departure
Dramatic video shows SWAT vehicle ramming tractor during tense Oregon standoff
Smithsonian showdown intensifies as Trump administration issues a stark new warning
White House rips ‘activist’ Biden judge who upended Trump birthright citizenship order
Spanish prime minister promises to release all files on Ceuta invasion as thousands of illegal immigrants remain in enclave
Steel Across America tour lands at Fenway Park ahead of 25th anniversary of 9/11
Maria Bartiromo no longer with Fox News
Plane Carrying DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin Forced to Make Emergency Landing
Lindsay Clancy Effect? Child, 2, Pronounced Dead, Mother Hospitalized in ‘Domestic-Related Homicide’ in Sleepy Suburb
Blue state governor candidate claims he ‘met Satan in person’ in resurfaced podcast episode
Mamdani gives influencers special access as Signal use raises records-law questions
Democrats in Close Midterm Races Keep Telling Kamala Harris to Stay Away
Lindsay Clancy Fans Start Sick TikTok Trend Pretending to Kill Their Babies
Minneapolis apartment shooting suspect was facing eviction: report
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.
