Undocumented immigrants should receive vaccines against coronavirus, says DHS

Undocumented immigrants should receive vaccines against coronavirus, says DHS

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“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 as soon as they are eligible under the agreement. with local distribution guidelines, ” the Department of Homeland Security said.

The statement by the department that oversees the country’s immigration enforcement marks a significant change in the tone of official statements made during the Trump administration. It is the first time that the department encourages undocumented immigrants to get vaccinated against the coronavirus or discusses their immigration stance in relation to vaccination.

“I am very, very concerned,” said Dr. Ranit Mishori, senior medical consultant for Doctors for Human Rights, to CNN in December. “If we are to achieve collective immunity as a country, it means that the non-citizens who live among us must be immunized.”

Supporters say some immigrants are skeptical of government-led vaccination efforts after years of being targeted during the Trump administration, and some more recent comments from leaders have also made them hesitate:

• In an interview last year with CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said the vaccine would be free “for all American citizens”. Pfizer later told CNN that the CEO was referring to government statements on the matter.
• At a briefing last month, the governor of Nebraska hinted that coronavirus vaccines would not be available to undocumented immigrants in his state, although he returned to comments days later. A video of Governor Pete Ricketts’ comments went viral on Twitter and provoked strong criticism.
• And the new guidelines in Florida requiring vaccinees to provide residency in the state have also raised concerns among advocates for immigrants. They fear that such rules, supposedly designed to reduce “vaccine tourism”, could prevent farmers and other essential workers from receiving the vaccine.

When asked about the issue on several occasions, the Biden government said undocumented immigrants should have access to the vaccine. But Monday’s statement marks the first time the Department of Homeland Security has addressed the issue publicly.

“DHS is committed to ensuring that every individual who needs a vaccine can get it, regardless of their immigration status,” said the department.

Monday’s statement echoes previous guidelines from US Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement during natural disasters, such as hurricanes, when agencies often announce that they are refraining from enforcement actions in an effort to ensure that vulnerable people do not be afraid to seek help.

The ICE also generally refrains from inspecting places that the agency considers “sensitive places”, including hospitals.

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