An alert from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services clarifies testing, treatment, and preventive care — including a vaccine, if one becomes available — related to COVID-19 will not be considered as part of a public charge inadmissibility determination.

The Department of Homeland Security will implement its expanded definition of public charge nationwide until five district courts decide on the lawfulness of change. Meanwhile, the Department of State also will begin using the expanded definition for those seeking visas.

The Department of Homeland Security will evaluate applications for immigration benefits postmarked or submitted electronically on or after Feb. 24. The agency will not consider any newly added public benefit categories that the applicant received before Feb. 24.

DHS now can enforce the public charge rule everywhere but Illinois. The stay on the injunction will remain in place until the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit makes a final decision on the merits of the government’s appeal.

In a letter to the Department of State, America’s Essential Hospitals expressed concern that broadening the definition of public charge would harm the nation’s health care system, vulnerable patients, and state and local economies.

The agency seeks comment on a questionnaire to enforce its revised public charge standard for visa applicants. Separately, the department sought comment and emergency review of information collection to enforce the presidential proclamation suspending the entry of immigrants without health coverage.

The rule intends to align the State Department’s public charge definition with the Department of Homeland Security public charge final rule.

America’s Essential Hospitals applauded the decision, noting that the rule threatens the health of millions and the stability of essential hospitals.

The brief urges the United States Supreme Court to uphold prior rulings and reject the rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

The proclamation states that the entry of immigrants who do not obtain health insurance financially burdens the health care system.

An amicus brief filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by America's Essential Hospitals and five other national hospital associations highlights how the Department of Homeland Security public charge final rule would harm hospitals and patients.

The guidance follows a May 23 presidential memorandum calling for increased enforcement of laws related to individuals sponsoring immigration applicants.

The Department of Homeland Security finalized a proposed rule that expands the definition of “public charge” in immigration application determinations to include additional types of public benefits and new immigration applicant categories.

The final rule revises the criteria that determines whether an individual seeking to enter the country or become a lawful permanent resident could become a public charge.

In a July 9 letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, America’s Essential Hospitals expressed concern that changes to federal housing assistance eligibility requirements could increase housing instability and worsen health outcomes.

Under current law, most individuals applying to enter the country on a visa or applying for a green card must submit an affidavit of support from a sponsor residing in the United States who meets certain criteria. The memo claims these requirements are not adequately enforced.

The president signs a multibillion-dollar funding package and declares a national emergency, which now faces multiple court challenges. Two House Democrats announce plans to introduce Medicare-for-all legislation.

The Medicaid Extenders Act of 2019 heads to President Trump for approval. Meanwhile, a new bill would limit the use of Medicaid to care for undocumented immigrants.

The association urged the Department of Homeland Security to exclude nonemergency Medicaid benefits and low-income subsidies for Medicare Part D beneficiaries from the list of programs considered in public charge determinations.

America’s Essential Hospitals is closely reviewing the proposed rule from the Department of Homeland Security and evaluating its potential impact on our members. We encourage all members to review the provisions of the proposed rule, provide us feedback, and submit your own comments to the agency.

The proposal differs from a previously leaked version and expands the list of public programs for consideration in a public charge determination.

America's Essential Hospitals has compiled relevant immigration resources to inform essential hospitals about the rights of patients and providers.

The new directive applies to Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen, but the specifics vary by country.

America’s Essential Hospitals and 57 other groups say restricting admission of certain foreign nationals and refugees will disrupt care, health education, and research.

Congress must pass a homeland security spending bill this week, and health insurance marketplaces are under scrutiny as oral arguments in the King v. Burwell Supreme Court case begin.

Including trauma and drug-related bills, CHIP funding extensions, and homeland security

Also on tap is a Senate vote on homeland security funding that would bar legal status for undocumented immigrants and President Obama's 2016 budget

Also under consideration is legislation addressing human trafficking, immigration, and border security

Congress meets this week to pass Keystone Pipeline legislation and Homeland Security funding, considers immigration and veterans' mental health.

Congress must past spending legislation before Dec. 11, governors request CHIP funding extension, Cassidy defeats Landrieu.

Impact of president's recent action on immigration could complicate congressional passage of FY 2015 spending bill; leadership changes progress for key health committees in House, Senate