Texas Gov. Abbott turned down a federal offer to test migrants, blaming them for spreading Covid

Texas Gov. Abbott turned down a federal offer to test migrants, blaming them for spreading Covid

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After Abbott relaxed Covid’s state restrictions this week, Abbott claims without evidence that migrants arriving in Texas expose the state’s residents to the coronavirus.

“The Biden government has released immigrants in South Texas who exposed Texans to Covid,” Abbott, a Republican, said in a CNBC interview Thursday.

But behind the scenes, the Department of Homeland Security has handed over plans to the governors’ office to help cities and counties mitigate the spread of Covid-19, according to the official.

DHS already has plans are underway to use funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support community efforts to isolate and quarantine migrants released from border surveillance, the official told CNN. However, the money must be approved by the state before it can be distributed among border communities. CNN previously reported plans were underway to use FEMA funds to help communities obtain tests.

As of Wednesday, Texas has yet to respond to the administration as it has entered into discussions with the Department of Homeland Security.

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

Abbott announced Tuesday that he is lifting the mask mandate in Texas, even though health officials warn not to ease safety restrictions, and said businesses of any kind will be allowed to open 100% from March 10.

The Biden government still relies heavily on a Trump-era policy on the U.S.-Mexico border to repel the vast majority of migrants encountering the Border Patrol. But Mexico has stopped accepting that some families are being returned. This change, coupled with social distance in U.S. detention centers, has created a lack of space for migrants, forcing Customs and Border Protection officials to release families in the U.S.

The agency said in a statement that staff were looking for Covid-19 symptoms and “consult on-site medical staff, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or local health systems as appropriate.”

In McAllen, Texas, city officials requested thousands of Covid-19 tests from government officials in January after the learning of migrants was not tested by CBP.

The city received 6,000 tests presented by Catholic charities. If migrants test positive, the organization will quarantine them at a local hotel. According to Catholic charities, in early February no one offered a positive test.

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DHS’s proposal builds on the effort by providing federal funds to support communities.

In January, nearly 7,500 families were found at the CBP border between the United States and Mexico, according to the agency’s most recent data. The number is expected to rise, stressing resources.
To expand capacity, the agency opened a “soft” structure in Donna, Texas, and another building in Eagle Pass, Texas. According to a senior DHS official, at least four “soft” facilities are still being considered, although places have not yet been nailed down. Additional border patrol agents are also deployed to assist with processing.

Ashley Killough of CNN contributed to this report.

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