Seeking preventive services or treatment for coronavirus will not negatively affect immigrants who apply for permanent residency under the new public charge rule which disqualifies candidates who get government benefits.
“Such treatment or preventive services will not negatively affect any alien as part of a future Public Charge analysis,” US Citizenship and Immigration Services said as America tries to curb the spreading virus that has caused COVID-19 infections around the world.
The Trump Administration introduced the public charge rule last month which tightens the immigration process and punishes people who rely on public benefits on taxpayers’ money.
“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 assured.
The USCIS statement comes amid speculations that immigrants might try to avoid getting coronavirus care or treatment from fear of it hurting their application prospects.
According to an AP report those who can’t work or attend school and must rely on public benefits during the duration of the virus outbreak and recovery can later explain and provide documentation and that it will be taken into consideration.
