USCIS ENDS PUBLIC CHARGE RULE FOR CORONAVIRUS
On March 13, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a public alert stating that seeking treatment for COVID-19 related health issues would not negatively affect any alien as part of a future public charge determination.
In a March 27 alert, the agency further clarified: “The Public Charge rule does not restrict access to testing, screening, or treatment of communicable diseases, including COVID-19. In addition, the rule does not restrict access to vaccines for children or adults to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases.”
The March 27 advisory also stated that there might be an exception with regard to receipt of certain cash and non-cash public benefits. “The rule requires USCIS to consider the receipt of certain cash and non-cash public benefits, including those that may be used to obtain testing or treatment for COVID-19 in a public charge inadmissibility determination, and for purposes of a public benefit condition applicable to certain nonimmigrants seeking an extension of stay or change of status.”
The alert can be read here in its entirety: https://www.uscis.
