The Department of Homeland Security plans to provide the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a single dose, to migrants who are in Border Patrol custody after crossing into the United States, two officials from that federal agency told The Washington newspaper. Post.
The vaccines will be offered both to
migrants likely to be released on U.S. soil while they await their court hearings and to those facing deportation
, officials said on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the plan that is still in place. Developing.
However, migrants who are quickly returned to Mexico by virtue of Title 42 or rapid deportation processes will not be given, at least during the initial phase, the newspaper reported.
CDC Extends Policy Allowing Quick Removal of Migrants in COVID-19 Cases
Aug. 3, 202101: 24
[A judge blocks the Texas governor's order to limit the transportation of immigrants released by the Border Patrol]
In July,
210,000 migrants crossed into the United States along the southern border, the highest number recorded in a month in the last 21 years
, according to preliminary estimates from the federal government.
Officials familiar with the new vaccination plan said it makes sense for the government to provide vaccines to people already in the custody of authorities because
that reduces the risk that they could spread the virus in their home countries or in the United States. .
"The hardest thing was that my girl was hungry for two days."
Hondurans relate their journey to the United States.
Aug. 3, 202101: 46
[Abbott issues executive order to limit the transportation of migrants in Texas who may transmit COVID-19]
The governor of Texas, Republican Greg Abbott, declared an emergency at the border due to the arrival of undocumented migrants and has begun to incarcerate them on trespassing charges, blaming them in addition to the rise in COVID-19 cases in the state, despite the fact
that his own government eliminated health policies that could have prevented or mitigated these outbreaks
, such as the use of masks.
Abbott issued an executive order on July 28 to
limit ground transportation for immigrants
released by the Border Patrol.
However, that measure was temporarily suspended on Monday by a federal judge who ruled in favor of the Department of Justice, which sued the Texas government arguing that it was usurping federal powers.
What is happening to migrant families crammed into Border Patrol centers?
Aug. 1, 202102: 12
[The governor of Texas announces that he will build a wall on the border with Mexico]
Webb County, where the border city of Laredo is located, prohibited the Border Patrol from transporting immigrants detained elsewhere by bus through its communities for at least seven days, alleging that up to 40% could be infected with it. COVID-19.
The White House has denied that federal authorities are releasing migrants who have contracted the virus and ensures that "the necessary isolation, quarantine and medical care measures are taken."
However, Noticias Telemundo Investiga found in July how
the Border Patrol released dozens of migrants at a shelter in Laredo, some of whom tested positive
for COVID-19.
In that case, non-governmental organizations did the tests, thanks to funds from the Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Listen to the audio that reveals abuses against children in migrant shelters
July 31, 202101: 10
[At this border morgue, 40% of immigrants died with COVID-19]
Between the end of January and the beginning of March there were
at least 160 cases of migrants who tested positive for COVID-19
- according to the tests applied by the authorities of Brownsville, Laredo and McAllen - who were allowed to continue with their trip without quarantining .
Currently, those who test positive are sent to shelters or hotels run by non-governmental organizations where they are recommended to quarantine.
There are security guards in these places, but the migrants are not confined like they are in Border Patrol detention centers.
The federal government has more doses of vaccines than it can distribute at the national level, due to low citizen demand, so it has increased donations to other countries: more than 110 doses have already been sent to some 60 nations.
Telemundo News at night, July 26, 2021
July 27, 202112: 50
[Hidalgo and McAllen issue declaration of local disaster due to increase in migrants and COVID-19 cases]
Paul Offit, director of the Center for Vaccine Education at Philadelphia Children's Hospital, said the plan to expand vaccines along the border was "a great idea."
"If they have people in their custody and they consider that part of their care is to make sure they are immune to the virus, I think it is a responsible measure," explained Offit, in an interview with The Washington Post.
"The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a single dose, which is an advantage for populations that are transient and less likely to receive the second dose, so this measure makes a lot of sense," he added.
About
20,000 detainees at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Center have received vaccinations so far,
according to the latest government figures.
Dreamers say they feel calmer after their meeting with Biden: "He told us he's with us"
July 25, 202101: 50
On August 3,
Mexican authorities administered 1,335 Pfizer vaccines
for all migrants in Tijuana, and Alonso Pérez Rico, Baja California's Secretary of Health, assured that they had already vaccinated more than 2,000 people in previous days.
“We are using the best weapon we have on the migrant population, the weapon we use with ourselves, which is the vaccine.
[...] Thousands of people arrive every day who want an opportunity in Tijuana, who want to cross into the United States and many do not cross and stay here, "explained Pérez Rico in an interview with Telemundo San Diego.
Webb County in Texas will not receive migrants transferred from other sectors due to the rise of COVID-19
July 23, 202101: 49
The problems of contagions between border cities have also been addressed by other countries.
Last month, Colombia announced its commitment to vaccinate against COVID-19 the nearly
two million Venezuelans who reside in its territory, including more than a million who do not have a regular status
, in addition the authorities emphasize the importance of immunizing to the populations located on the border due to the high mobility of people.
“We have a commitment and we have an epidemiological obligation, also a public health one.
If we do not vaccinate them, we are not going to generate immunity for the herd
, we are not going to generate protection, ”said Colombian Health Minister Fernando Ruiz in an interview with the Efe agency at the end of July.
With information from The Washington Post, Vox, Efe and Telemundo San Diego
