Texas Governor Abbott suspended the federal offer to test migrants and then blamed them for spreading Covid

Texas Governor Abbott suspended the federal offer to test migrants and then blamed them for spreading Covid

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After easing Covid’s state restrictions this week, Abbott claimed, without evidence, that migrants arriving in Texas are exposing state residents to coronavirus.

“The Biden government released immigrants in southern Texas who exposed Texans to Covid,” Abbott, a Republican, said in an interview with CNBC on Thursday.

But behind the scenes, the Department of Homeland Security has forwarded plans to the governor’s office to seek assistance to cities and counties to mitigate the spread of Covid-19, according to the official.

DHS already has has put in place plans to use Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to support the community’s efforts to test, isolate and quarantine migrants released from Border Patrol custody, the official told CNN. But the grant money must be approved by the state before it can be distributed to border communities. CNN previously reported that plans were underway to use FEMA funds to help locations acquire tests.

On Wednesday, Texas had not yet responded to the government since joining the Department of Homeland Security.

CNN contacted the governor’s office and DHS for comment.

Abbott announced on Tuesday that it is withdrawing the mask’s mandate in Texas, even with health officials warning not to ease security restrictions, and said businesses of any kind could open 100% starting March 10.

The Biden government still largely depends on a Trump-era policy on the U.S. border with Mexico to ward off the vast majority of migrants found by the Border Patrol. But Mexico has stopped accepting that some families be returned. This change, combined with social detachment in US detention centers, created a lack of space for migrants, forcing Customs and Border Protection officials to release families to the United States.

The agency said in a statement that employees check for Covid-19 symptoms and “consult local medical personnel, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or local health systems, as appropriate.”

In McAllen, Texas, city officials ordered thousands of Covid-19 tests from state officials in January, after learning that migrants were not being tested by CBP.

The city received 6,000 tests, which are being administered by Catholic charities. If the migrants’ test is positive, the organization will help them quarantine a local hotel. In early February, no one had tested positive, according to Catholic Charities.

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DHS’s proposal builds on that effort, providing federal funds to support communities.

In January, nearly 7,500 families were found by CBP on the border between the United States and Mexico, according to the agency’s most recent monthly data. That number is expected to increase, putting pressure on resources.
To expand capacity, the agency opened a “soft-sided” structure in Donna, Texas, and is building another one in Eagle Pass, Texas. At least four more “flexible” facilities are being considered, although the locations have not been defined, according to a senior DHS official. Additional Border Patrol agents are also being deployed to assist with processing.

CNN’s Ashley Killough contributed to this report.

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