How do people with special needs receive permission to come to the United States for specialized healthcare? In this week’s episode of Parenting Impossible, host Annette Hines learns more about this complicated process from Immigration Attorney Linda Osberg-Braun.
Ms. Osberg has served as the Deputy District Counsel for INS (now DHS) and was an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the Southern District of Florida. She is known for her ability to solve complicated immigration problems. She focuses on developing immigration solutions and comprehensive long term strategies for her clients.
Annette and Linda dig into “public bar charge” and how it affects families seeking medical treatment and residency in the United States. The public charge concept was first established by Congress in 1882 and allowed the government to deny a U.S. visa to anyone who is likely to become a “public charge” — or use government funded programs. Under the current administration, the “public charge rule” is interpreted more broadly, which has redefined what makes someone dependent on government benefits. This essentially reduces the number of people who would be eligible for green cards and other visas.
Ms. Osberg later explains the process families in need of specialized healthcare must follow and how they can obtain different types of visas in order to stay in the country legally and support themselves. This includes “humanitarian parole,” which is a method used to bring someone into the United States for a temporary period of time due to a compelling emergency. This could include medical treatment for a family member with special needs.
Annette Hines has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law, and Estate Planning for more than 20 years. Ms. Hines brings personal experience with special needs to her practice and podcasts as the mother of two daughters, one of whom passed away from Mitochondrial disease in November 2013. This deep, personal understanding of special needs fuels her passion for quality special needs planning and drives her dedication to help others within the special needs community.