This archive report was first published on 3 November 2019.
On November 2, 2019, US District Judge Michael Simon granted a temporary restraining order in Portland, Oregon, halting a Trump administration rule change set to take effect on November 3, 2019.
The rule change, announced in a proclamation signed by President Donald Trump in early October, required individuals applying for immigrant visas from abroad to prove they would have health insurance within 30 days of arriving in the US or have enough financial resources to cover unforeseen medical costs.
Seven US citizens and the non-profit Justice Action Center filed the lawsuit, arguing that the rule would block nearly two-thirds of all would-be legal immigrants to the United States.
"We're very grateful that the court recognized the need to block the health care ban immediately... The ban would separate families and cut two-thirds of green-card-based immigration starting tonight, were the ban not stopped," said Justice Action Center senior litigator Esther Sung.
Judge Simon's temporary injunction will remain in place until he rules on the merits of the case at a later date. In the meantime, those applying for immigrant visas, such as green cards, from abroad will not need to prove they have health insurance soon after arrival in the US.
