WASHINGTON, D.C. – The coronavirus is infiltrating our communities and now some lawmakers said they are starting to see COVID-19 positive patients show up in their own Southern California districts.

Representative Norma Torres said nothing should stand in the way of someone getting tested, whether that is status or money, so now, she is leading a letter to Vice President Mike Pence, urging the administration to reconsider its “public charge” rule in light of the outbreak. 

The Trump administration’s public charge rule singles out immigrants who may have disabilities or lack economic resources which is determined by if they receive one or more public benefits, under certain circumstances. 

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Democrats have condemned it as a “wealth test,” and Torres said this policy could deter scared immigrants from getting tested, who are in fear that their needs could be used against them. She said similar situations are already happening now in her district.

“We want every single person regardless of their legal status in the U.S. to get tested. And why is that? Because we come into contact with everyone in the community,” said Torres. “We’re already heading that from our community clinics, I heard that this week again from nutrition programs in our schools that people are reaching out and dis-enroll my child.”

Torres said this is especially important because she is starting to see COVID-19 creep closer to home. Just this week, Torres recounted how a man showed up at Pomona Valley Hospital in full cardiac arrest and after he died, his tests came back positive for the disease. 

“Due to the cardiac arrest, that person, unfortunately, passed away due to the cardiac arrest,” said Torres. “There was some information that the hospital staff received as to the travel itinerary of that person, they were given that test and they tested positive.”

Torres said she needs people to NOT be afraid and go to the clinics and hospitals or seek information from online or over the phone. She said she is gaining more signatures for the call to get rid of the public charge policy.

For the latest updates go to: coronavirus.gov