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Presidential Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry of Immigrants Who Will Financially Burden the United States Healthcare System

By immigrationprof

On October 4, 2019, President Trump released the”Presidential Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry of Immigrants Who Will Financially Burden the United States Healthcare System.” 

Maria Sachetti for the Washington Post writes that the proclamation says that “it would deny visas to immigrants who `will financially burden’ the U.S. health-care system starting Nov. 3, demanding that foreign nationals prove that they have insurance or are affluent enough to cover their own health-care costs before entering the United States.

The new rule . . . comes as President Trump is facing an impeachment inquiry and intensifying his efforts to fulfill his campaign promises to curb immigration. Like many of Trump’s immigration policies, it is likely to face swift legal challenges in federal courts.”

Section 1 of the Proclamation provides that

“Suspension and Limitation on Entry.  (a)  The entry into the United States as immigrants of aliens who will financially burden the United States healthcare system is hereby suspended and limited subject to section 2 of this proclamation.  An alien will financially burden the United States healthcare system unless the alien will be covered by approved health insurance, as defined in subsection (b) of this section, within 30 days of the alien’s entry into the United States, or unless the alien possesses the financial resources to pay for reasonably foreseeable medical costs.”

The press release announcing the proclamation states as follows:

ENSURING A STRONG HEALTHCARE SYSTEM: President Donald J. Trump wants to ensure immigrants do not financially burden our healthcare system.

  • President Trump is issuing a proclamation to suspend the entry of immigrants who will financially burden the United States healthcare system.
  • President Trump is taking this action to ensure we protect the availability of healthcare benefits for American citizens.
  • Immigrant visa applicants will have to demonstrate that they will be covered by health insurance within thirty days of entering the country or have the financial resources to pay for medical costs.
  • KJ