A federal court has blocked the Trump administration from implementing a policy that would require new immigrants to demonstrate they have health care or are able to afford it, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The order, issued Saturday afternoon by U.S. District Judge Michael Simon in Oregon, temporarily bars the administration from applying the new policy for 28 days. Another hearing is scheduled for November 22.
The new health-care requirement was slated to take effect Monday. It would primarily affect the hundreds of thousands of immigrants looking to join family members each year in the U.S.
In his brief order, Judge Simon, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, said he believed the White House policy is likely unlawful and that the way it was issued ran afoul of procedures regarding public comment and other requirements the government must follow to enact new rules, the Journal adds.
“Further, Plaintiffs have shown, at least thus far, that they are likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of temporary relief, that the balance of hardships tips sharply toward Plaintiffs, and temporary relief is in the public interest,” Judge Simon wrote.
When it issued the policy last month, the Trump administration said the move would safeguard the health-care system for Americans by preventing immigrants from enrolling in Medicaid or going to emergency rooms without insurance.
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