- The USCIS said it will not “punish” immigrants seeking help with the coronavirus.
- USCIS assured that it will not consider assistance for coronavirus when determining whether or not to grant a “green card” to immigrants.
- USCIS made the announcement acknowledging that some immigrants may not seek attention for the coronavirus due to the new public charge rule.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) urged immigrants to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms of the coronavirus without fear that they may be penalized by the public charge rule.
The United States government said its new provision, which denies lawful permanent residence to foreigners using social assistance, will not apply to immigrants seeking medical care under COVID-19, the AP reported.
The USCIS reported Friday that seeking preventive treatment or services will not affect anyone’s immigration status, despite the provisions of the new public charge regulations, which went into effect last month and punish immigrants who need public assistance.
The agency acknowledged that some immigrants may hesitate to seek medical attention, and said it “will not consider coronavirus-related testing, treatment or preventive care” when determining a person’s eligibility for the green card.
He added that those who are unable to work or attend school and must support themselves with public assistance for the duration of the epidemic and recovery, can then present an explanation and documents, and that these will be taken into consideration.
The USCIS made the announcement after lawmakers and activist groups asked the government to suspend the provision during the coronavirus outbreak. Activists say they have received calls from immigrants who are concerned about the consequences of seeking medical care for their immigration status.
Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in Los Angeles, said her group and other groups held a press conference calling on immigrants to seek care if the They need it, and they were reminded that their health and that of their families is the most important thing.
“People have doubts about their vulnerability to the disease, but also about their migratory vulnerability, in terms of being discovered,” he added.
U.S. says new rule disqualifying people from green cards if they use public benefits won’t apply to immigrants with virus symptoms who seek care https://t.co/ER2jrkps4U
– KTLA (@KTLA) March 14, 2020
Salas said he does not fully trust the Trump government, but that he expects state and local authorities to support immigrants seeking the medical care they need, regardless of their immigration status.
Activists have criticized the public charge regulation, which punishes immigrants who are in the country legally, and who have been allowed access to certain public assistance benefits, such as food stamps, for their children born in the United States. United.
As the coronavirus spreads across the United States, activists and lawmakers have warned that excessive fear of some immigrants to seek medical care could backfire on public health.
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