It is hard to ignore some of the growing unease around new immigration policies, especially when it comes to health and public benefits. But immigrants in Louisiana who are also worried about the coronavirus can still get related medical help without losing some of their options for the future. The U.S. immigration law rule that limits green cards to only those who have not used government benefits does not apply to immigrants who need care for the COVID-19 virus.
The rule limiting who qualifies for green cards went into effect in Feb. 2020. More recently, advocacy groups say they have been speaking with many immigrants who need to seek health care, but are too scared to do so. These are mostly people who cannot go to school or work because of the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services recently announced that immigrants should still get tested and undergo treatment for the COVID-19 virus — even if it means relying on government benefits. Using government benefits for this purpose will not hurt anyone’s eligibility when applying for a green card, and those who do will have the opportunity to explain why. Applicants should also be ready to supply accompanying documentation.
Immigrants already face a lot of uncertainty in their lives, especially as U.S. immigration law seems to be rapidly evolving. But this does not mean that people do not have any options for help, even through government benefits. Immigrants who are still not sure about accessing those benefits can always choose to speak with an experienced attorney in Louisiana.