Civil Rights Groups Sue over Immigrant Medical Care Cases
Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 9:57 am
Sirlen Costa of Brazil holds her son Samuel, 5, as her niece Danyelle Sales, right, looks on during a news conference, Aug. 26, 2019, in Boston. Costa brought her son to the United States seeking treatment for his short bowel syndrome.
BOSTON, MASS. - Civil rights groups are suing President Donald Trump's administration over its decision to stop considering requests from immigrants seeking to remain in the country for medical treatment and other hardships.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts and Lawyers for Civil Rights filed a lawsuit in Boston federal court Thursday challenging the Aug. 7 decision by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to end its “deferred action” program.
The program allows foreign nationals to work legally and receive health benefits for up to two years while they or their family members receive medical treatment.
Emails seeking comment were sent Thursday to USCIS.
The agency said Monday it will continue processing deferral requests that were pending as of Aug. 7 after doctors, immigration lawyers and civil rights groups objected.