A federal agency has reversed course and will resume processing medical deferred-action requests after a backlash to deportation plans targeting immigrants getting life-saving treatment in the United States.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said the decision was made "at the direction" of Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan, The Hill reported.
"USCIS is resuming its consideration of non-military deferred action requests on a discretionary, case-by-case basis, except as otherwise required by an applicable statute, regulation, or court order," a spokesperson told The Hill.
The official noted most deferred-action requests are related to either family support or medical issues. The change means USCIS will revert to processes in place up until early August that allow for non-military deferred removal requests to be considered.
News of the reversal was first shared by members of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, citing a notice from the Department of Homeland Security, The Hill noted.
"It appears that the Trump administration is reversing its inhumane and disastrous decision to deport critically ill children and their families who are receiving life-saving medical treatment in the United States," panel chairman Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., said in a statement, The Hill reported.
"We will be taking additional steps to verify that these children and their families do not need to live in fear and uncertainty."
The move to eliminate the protection for migrant medical care was first reported last month by the Associated Press.
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