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As the number of migrants crossing the border continues to rise, the Biden administration reportedly prepares to vaccinate migrants in U.S. custody – amid lingering fears of a risk of COVID-19 spreading between migrants, law enforcement and the American public.
The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to vaccinate migrants upon arrival in detention for processing by Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
THE BORDER CRISIS SHOWS NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN AS MIGRANTS ARRIVE; FORMER OFFICIALS SLAM “NATIONAL EMBARRASSEMENT”
Vaccines would also be offered to people threatened with deportation, but not to those quickly deported through Title 42 public health protections, the outlet reported. The vaccines used would be the Johnson & Johnson single dose vaccine.
So far, the vaccine has been given to migrants detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), although Fox News reported last month that 30% of immigrants detained by ICE refused the vaccine.
DHS, in a statement to Fox, said its protocols had not changed yet.
“The health and safety of our workforce and of the migrants in our care is of paramount importance,” said a spokesperson. “We continue to monitor and reassess our COVID-19 protocols. At this time, our protocols have not changed.”
The report comes as border states have expressed concern about the potential risk of transmission of COVID-19 from migrants held in cramped conditions, both on their way to the border and on arrival, before to be often released back into the country.
BORDER PATROL UNION OFFICER WARNS COVID-POSITIVE MIGRANTS WHO WILL BE RELEASED TO US “DAY IN, DAY OUT”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order last week requiring law enforcement to stop vehicles carrying migrants due to the risk of COVID-19 transmission. The Justice Department sued and won a temporary injunction against Texas on Tuesday.
“The Biden administration knowingly – and willfully – released COVID-19 positive migrants to communities in Texas,” risking the potential exposure and infection of residents of Texas, “the office said. ‘Abbott in a statement. “The governor’s decree attempts to prevent the Biden administration. to spread COVID-19 in Texas; and to protect the health and safety of Texans. “
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION RESUMES RAPID EXPULSION FLIGHTS FOR MIGRANTS REFUSED OF ASYLUM
Meanwhile, a senior border patrol union official has warned that officers are forced to release COVID-positive migrants “day in and day out” and that not all are tested. He said it is a risk not only for the public, but also for the officers.
“We have a lot of agents in quarantine right now which adds to our problem, in addition to the agents who are sick with COVID, so we are worried about catching it ourselves, we are concerned about our families and colleagues. and it just seems everyone’s eyes closed when we have a real situation here, ”Chris Cabrera, vice president of the National Border Patrol Council, said Saturday on Fox News Live.
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More than 188,000 migrants were met in June, marking the last month of increased numbers. That number is expected to exceed 200,000 in July, the Associated Press reporting that preliminary estimates place the number at 210,000.
The Biden administration has reportedly considered ending Title 42 health protections, which allow for rapid deportation of migrants due to the COVID-19 threat. It failed to apply the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) order to unaccompanied children and many migrant families with children under the age of 7.
However, this week the CDC announced that the order was in fact extended.
David Aaro of Fox News contributed to this report.
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