Biden Revokes Trump Order Barring Immigrants Who Cannot Afford Healthcare

U.S. President Joe Biden revoked on Friday a Trump-era executive order that barred the entry of immigrants deemed a "financial burden" on the U.S. health care system.

“My Administration is committed to expanding access to quality, affordable healthcare,” Biden's proclamation states, noting that the October 2019 order "does not advance the interests of the United States."

“We can achieve that objective, however, without barring the entry of noncitizens who seek to immigrate lawfully to this country but who lack significant financial means or have not purchased health insurance coverage from a restrictive list of qualifying plans,” Biden affirmed.

Meantime, the U.S. President ordered leaders at the departments of State, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security to “review any regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, and any other similar agency actions developed pursuant to” the 2019 proclamation and issue “revised guidance” as appropriate that reflects his own policy.

Notably, the 2019 order required immigrant-visa applicants to prove they could obtain health insurance within 30 days of entering the U.S. or cover their own health care expenses before they were permitted to stay in the country.

"Immigrants who enter this country should not further saddle our health care system, and subsequently American taxpayers, with higher costs," Trump said in the proclamation, per the Hill.