Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will not conduct surveillance operations at or near coronavirus vaccine distribution sites or at other health facilities, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Monday.
“DHS and its federal government partners fully support equal access to COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine distribution locations for undocumented immigrants,” says a statement.
“It is a moral and public health imperative to ensure that all individuals residing in the United States have access to the vaccine. DHS encourages all individuals, regardless of immigration status, to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when eligible under local distribution guidelines. ”
Both ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), DHS said, would not conduct surveillance operations “at or near health facilities, such as hospitals, doctors’ offices, accredited health clinics and emergency or urgent care facilities, except in the most extraordinary of circumstances. “
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The announcement came at a time when advocacy groups warned that immigrants in the United States may be some of the most difficult people to reach during the national campaign to vaccinate the population against the virus.
Some immigrants in the country illegally fear that information collected during vaccines may be passed on to the authorities and, therefore, may not seek vaccines, while those who speak little or no English may have difficulty accessing vaccines.
On opening day, DHS acting secretary David Pekoske instructed his agencies to “review and redefine enforcement policies” as well as to follow President Biden’s controversial decision to halt deportations for 100 days.
“The pause will allow DHS to ensure that its resources are dedicated to responding to the most urgent challenges facing the United States, including immediate operational challenges on the southwestern border amid the most serious global public health crisis in a century.” DHS said at the time.
The previous government faced criticism for conducting enforcement operations in courts.
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Part of the response to ex-President Trump’s pandemic included Customs and Border Protection (CBP) control at illegal entrances on the southern border, something that former CBP acting commissioner Mark Morgan said was critical to contain the virus. .
He warned that, without limitations on migration, local public health systems could easily be overwhelmed.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.