Deferred Action and Medical Care for Migrants
Most recently, President Trump and his administration have announced that the rules regarding deferred action and medical care will be changing. The status quo had been to allow for non-US residents to receive deferred action for deportations in cases of urgent or serious medical care. If immigrants could prove their serious medical requirements, they could receive two-year deferrals on removals. These medical deferrals would allow immigrants to stay in the US and receive the medical care they would otherwise not receive in their home country.
Deferred action would only be considered for approved individuals
However, the deferred action has been changed as letters from US Citizenship and Immigration have said these deferrals would no longer be accepted, meanwhile other government officials have claimed that ICE will now consider any required medical deferrals. Unfortunately, there have been reports of denials sent to those in need of medical care, who otherwise would have qualified for the two-year deferral. The rejection letters claimed that deferred action would only be considered for approved individuals, like those in the military.
Denied deferrals to leave the US within 33 days
There appears to be inconsistency and a lack of clarity regarding the new rules, but those who have been denied deferrals have been told to leave the US within 33 days of the notice. It is vital that not only those who have received these letters but also those who require medical deferrals in the future, speak with an experienced immigration attorney. The most vulnerable group includes migrant children, as children requiring critical care must now leave the country. However, following public outrage regarding the proposed change, the Trump administration has dampened its rhetoric and offering the possibility of backtracking on the new rules.
by Prozco®