In the world of U.S. immigration policy, changes can be frequent and impactful. One such change was the [health insurance requirement](/immigration-resources/health-insurance-requirement-immigration-applicants) imposed on immigration applicants abroad during the [Trump administration](https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/issues/immigration/^). This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of this policy, its implications, and the subsequent changes brought about by the [Biden administration](https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/27/fact-sheet-the-biden-administration-blueprint-for-a-fair-orderly-and-humane-immigration-system/^). Whether you are an immigration applicant, an immigration advocate, a legal expert, or simply someone interested in U.S. immigration policies, this article is for you.

In October 2019, President Trump introduced a rule that required [consular officers](/immigration-resources/consular-processing-guide) to deny [green cards](/immigration-resources/green-card-immigration-guide) to applicants who could not show that they would have [unsubsidized health insurance](https://www.healthcare.gov/private-plan-exceptions-outside-open-enrollment^) or enough money to pay for [medical expenses](https://www.healthcare.gov/why-coverage-is-important/protection-from-high-medical-costs/^) once in the U.S. This policy primarily targeted [family-based green card applicants](/immigration-resources/green-card-immigration-guide) and was expected to result in the rejection of 375,000 green card applications per year. However, this rule was revoked by the Biden administration on May 14, 2021. 

In the following sections, we will delve deeper into the details of this policy, its implications, and the changes that have occurred since its revocation.

Let's delve into the specifics of the health insurance requirement. This rule, introduced by President Trump, required consular officers to deny green cards to applicants who could not show that they would have unsubsidized health insurance or enough money to pay for medical expenses once in the U.S. 

The main target of this policy was family-based green card applicants. It was a significant change that was expected to result in the rejection of approximately 375,000 green card applications per year. That's a large number of people who would have been denied the opportunity to legally live and work in the U.S. simply because they couldn't prove they would have health insurance or enough money to cover medical expenses.

However, this rule didn't last. On May 14, 2021, the Biden administration revoked this rule, bringing relief to many potential immigrants. This revocation meant that consular officers could no longer deny green cards based on the health insurance requirement, opening the door for many more people to pursue their American dream.

In the next section, we will discuss the details of the [proclamation](https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/proclamation-ending-discriminatory-bans-on-entry-to-the-united-states/^) that introduced this requirement, including what it required of applicants and the rationale behind it.

Now that we've discussed the broad strokes of the health insurance requirement, let's dive into the specifics of the proclamation. The proclamation required applicants to show that they would buy health insurance within 30 days of entering the U.S. or that they had sufficient financial resources to pay for any reasonably anticipated medical expenses. 

The rationale behind the proclamation was the belief that uninsured immigrants were burdening the U.S. healthcare system. The Trump administration argued that by ensuring immigrants had health insurance or the means to pay for medical expenses, the strain on the healthcare system would be reduced.

However, this claim was disputed by immigration advocates and healthcare experts. They argued that the policy was not based on sound evidence and that it unfairly targeted low-income immigrants. They pointed out that many U.S. citizens also lack health insurance, and that immigrants often use less healthcare services than native-born citizens.

In the next section, we will discuss who exactly was affected by this proclamation and what exceptions were made. We will also look at the types of health insurance that were acceptable under the order, how applicants could prove they would get health insurance, and the potential income or assets required to pass the wealth test implemented by the new proclamation.

The health insurance requirement had a broad reach, affecting almost all immigrants applying for green cards from outside the U.S. using consular processing. However, there were some exceptions to this rule. Refugees, asylum seekers, and certain categories of children and parents of U.S. citizens were exempt from this requirement.

The proclamation was not specific about the types of health insurance that were acceptable. However, it did exclude certain types of subsidized health insurance, such as the Affordable Care Act. This meant that immigrants were required to have unsubsidized health insurance.

To prove they would get health insurance, applicants had to provide documentation from an insurance company stating that they would be covered within 30 days of their arrival in the U.S. This could be a challenge for many applicants, as getting health insurance can be a complex and time-consuming process.

In addition to proving they would have health insurance, applicants also had to pass a wealth test. This meant they had to show they had enough income or assets to pay for any reasonably anticipated medical expenses. The proclamation did not specify how much income or assets were required, leaving it up to the discretion of the consular officer.

In the next section, we will compare the health insurance requirement with the [public charge rule](/immigration-resources/submitting-court-police-prison-records-green-card), another policy aimed at denying immigration benefits to applicants who the government believes won't be able to financially support themselves in the U.S.

The health insurance requirement is not the only policy aimed at denying immigration benefits to applicants who the government believes won't be able to financially support themselves in the U.S. Another such policy is the public charge rule.

The public charge rule, like the health insurance requirement, is designed to prevent immigrants from becoming a financial burden on the U.S. However, there are key differences between the two.

Unlike the health insurance requirement, the public charge rule considers a range of factors, not just health insurance or the ability to pay for medical expenses. These factors include the applicant's age, health, family status, assets, resources, financial status, education, and skills.

Another key difference is that the public charge rule affects both immigrants within and outside the U.S., whereas the health insurance requirement primarily affected those applying for green cards from outside the U.S.

In the next section, we will discuss the potential future of the health insurance requirement, including the short window for officials to decide how to implement its requirements and the potential legal challenges it could face.

When the health insurance requirement was introduced, it left a short window for officials to decide how to implement its requirements. This led to a lot of uncertainty and confusion among both immigration officials and applicants.

The proclamation was also likely to face legal challenges. Many immigration advocates and legal experts argued that the requirement was discriminatory and not based on sound evidence. They also pointed out that it was introduced without the usual period of public comment and review, which is a standard part of the rule-making process in the U.S.

In addition to these challenges, the proclamation required several government agencies to submit reports on the usefulness of excluding immigrants based on their health insurance coverage. These reports could have had a significant impact on the future of the requirement, depending on their findings.

However, with the revocation of the rule by the Biden administration, the future of the health insurance requirement is now clear. It is no longer in effect, and immigrants applying for green cards from abroad no longer need to worry about proving they will have health insurance or enough money to pay for medical expenses.

In the final section, we will recap the key points discussed in this article and provide some final thoughts on the implications of the health insurance requirement and its revocation.

In this article, we've taken a deep dive into the health insurance requirement that was imposed on immigration applicants abroad during the Trump administration. We've explored the details of this policy, its implications, and the changes brought about by the Biden administration.

The health insurance requirement was a significant change in U.S. immigration policy. It required consular officers to deny green cards to applicants who could not show that they would have unsubsidized health insurance or enough money to pay for medical expenses once in the U.S. This policy primarily targeted family-based green card applicants and was expected to result in the rejection of 375,000 green card applications per year.

However, this rule was revoked by the Biden administration on May 14, 2021. This revocation has brought relief to many potential immigrants and has changed the landscape of U.S. immigration policy.

While the health insurance requirement is no longer in effect, it serves as a reminder of the ever-changing nature of immigration policy. It underscores the importance of staying informed and understanding the requirements and implications of these policies.

Whether you are an immigration applicant, an immigration advocate, a legal expert, or simply someone interested in U.S. immigration policies, we hope this article has provided you with valuable insights into the health insurance requirement and its implications.

The Biden administration in 2021 revoked the Trump-era health insurance requirement for green card applicants. This change has greatly impacted U.S. immigration. If you're applying for a green card, understanding these changes is vital. This guide helps you stay informed and navigate U.S. immigration policies effectively.

Changes in Health Insurance Requirement for Immigration Applicants: From Trump to Biden

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