Abbott Government fact-finding that migrants enter Texas with borderline viruses

SAN ANTONIO Government Greg Abbott has criticized the release of asylum seekers from the Biden administration at the border, which has been on hiatus for months under the Trump administration.

Abbott said in an interview with KSPR’s sister station in Houston, KPRC, on Wednesday: ‘Illegal immigrants that the [Biden Administration is] allowing entry into the state of Texas that is positive for COVID-19 and is being released in Texas communities. ”

On Thursday, however, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said there were protocols to ensure COVID-19 testing was done.

“Our policy is that COVID-19 testing should be done at state and local level with the help of NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and local governments,” Psaki said. “Our policy is to have it finalized before they go to stay with family members or others they may know while the cases are being assessed.”

Felipe Romero, public information officer for the city of Brownsville, said two groups are entering the country.

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One of the groups consists of asylum seekers waiting in the Matamoros, Mexico. Camps, known as the Migrant Protection Protocol programs, are being tested across the border before entering the US, he said.

“They can not cross the border without having a negative test result,” Romero said.

The other group are people who have crossed the border illegally and are being dropped off by U.S. Customs and Border Protection under the Capture and Release Program.

“They are tested immediately after arriving at a checkpoint,” Romero said. “If they test positive, they are informed that they are positive, and we immediately follow all CDC guidelines and also inform them that they should isolate themselves and strongly recommend that they be quarantined.”

From February 9 to March 3, 1,267 tests were administered, Romero said. Of these tests, 169, or just over 13%, tested positive, but that’s just for the city of Brownsville. The tests are compulsory for the immigrants.

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The quick test results are received within about 15 minutes. Romero said local NGOs have set up shelters and hotel rooms for those who are positive about going in and staying in quarantine if they prefer. But they are released on an honorary system that they will follow the safety guidelines.

Romero stressed that the city is not involved in the payment of their housing at all.

Romero said the city received 10,000 Rapid COVID-19 tests from the Texas Department of Emergency Management to facilitate the process.