Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will not conduct enforcement operations on or near the distribution works for coronavirus vaccines or other health care facilities, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Monday.
“DHS and its federal government partners fully support equal access to COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine distribution sites for undocumented immigrants,” the statement said.
“It is essential for moral and public health to ensure that all individuals living 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 possible. it is eligible according to local distribution guidelines. “
Both ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), DHS said, would not conduct enforcement operations “at or near health care facilities, such as hospitals, doctors’ offices, accredited health clinics, and emerging or urgent care facilities, except in exceptional circumstances.”
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The announcement comes when advocacy groups warned that immigrants in the U.S. could be among the most difficult people to reach during the national effort to vaccinate the population against the virus.
Some immigrants in the country fear illegally that information taken during vaccinations could be passed on to authorities, and therefore they will not seek vaccinations, while those who speak little or no English find it difficult to gain access to shots.
DHS Acting Secretary David Pekoske on the day of the inauguration ordered his agencies to “review and reinstate the enforcement policy”, as well as to follow President Biden’s controversial decision to suspend deportations for 100 days.
“The disruption will enable DHS to ensure that its resources are dedicated to responding to the most pressing challenges facing the United States, including immediate operational challenges on the southwestern border amid the most severe global public health crisis in ‘ a century, “DHS said at the time.
The previous government has been criticized for conducting enforcement operations at courthouses.
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Part of former President Trump’s pandemic response included customs and border protection (CBP) undermining illegal entries at the southern border, something former CBP acting commissioner Mark Morgan said was critical of the virus. to contain.
He warned that local public health systems could be easily overwhelmed without restrictions on migration.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.