Chloe Ramirez
The Biden administration has vaccinated 20,000 migrants in border custody as part of a massive operation. The effort to vaccinate migrants in border facilities is the latest vaccination campaign for newly arrived immigrants. While people seeking asylum in the US are not required to receive routine vaccinations at the border, the Biden administration has required coronavirus vaccines for some undocumented migrants at the southwest border.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are illegal immigrants being vaccinated at the border? | Yes, the Biden administration has been vaccinating undocumented migrants at the border. |
| Is there a cost involved? | No, getting vaccinated for COVID-19 should not cost anything. |
| Is there a negative impact on immigration status? | No, getting vaccinated will not have a negative effect on a person's current or future immigration status or ability to become a U.S. citizen. |
| Are there any civil or criminal implications? | No, information about individual vaccine recipients may not be used against them for any civil or criminal prosecution or immigration enforcement. |
| Are there any consequences for refusing vaccination? | Yes, migrants who refuse vaccination may be transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers or released with more stringent conditions of parole, such as ankle monitors. |
| Are asylum seekers required to receive routine vaccinations at the border? | No, asylum seekers are not required to receive routine vaccinations or show proof of vaccination history when they arrive at the border. However, they are required by law to get vaccinated if they want to become lawful permanent residents. |
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What You'll Learn
Migrants vaccinated at the US border
The US government has vaccinated 20,000 migrants at border facilities as part of a massive operation. The vaccination campaign, which began in the summer of 2021, targets newly arrived immigrants and is an extension of the Biden administration's efforts to vaccinate tens of thousands of Afghan evacuees against the coronavirus, measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. The Central Processing Center, which includes cinder-block cells with large windows, televisions, Mylar blankets, metal benches, water fountains, and toilets, is an example of the renovated facilities used for this operation.
While the vaccination of migrants at the border is a recent development, the US has long dealt with the challenge of low immunization rates within refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities. Vaccine hesitancy in these communities has been attributed to various factors, including concern for safety, distrust of authorities, cultural norms and beliefs, and fear of deportation. To address these concerns, interventions such as community outreach and the establishment of trusted relationships have been implemented with some success.
The Biden administration's decision to vaccinate migrants at the border is a notable shift from the previous Trump administration's policies. The Trump administration implemented Title 42, a public health order that allowed border officials to turn away migrants to prevent the spread of coronavirus. However, public health experts criticized this measure as unnecessary. The current administration's approach acknowledges that there are alternative ways to minimize the spread of coronavirus across borders, and their actions reflect a broader commitment to combating vaccine-preventable diseases and improving public health.
It is important to clarify that the vaccination of migrants at the border is not mandatory. While the CDC has stated that vaccines are available to anyone, regardless of immigration status, individuals are not required to be vaccinated to enter the country. This means that migrants seeking asylum or those who are undocumented are not forced to receive vaccinations as a condition of entry. However, there may be consequences for refusing vaccination, such as detention and deportation proceedings for single adults, or the use of monitoring devices for those requesting asylum.
The vaccination of migrants at the US border is a complex issue that involves public health, immigration policies, and the rights of individuals seeking entry into the country. While the current administration grapples with the challenges of vaccine hesitancy and the legacy of previous policies, their efforts to vaccinate migrants reflect a recognition of the importance of immunization in protecting the health of both the RIM community and the nation as a whole.
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Migrants' rights to vaccination
Refugees, immigrants, and migrants (RIM) in the United States have been identified as an underimmunized population prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Low immunization rates within RIM communities place them at increased risk for vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD). During the COVID-19 pandemic, rising vaccine hesitancy and health inequities have been linked to a disproportionate burden of disease.
The US government has made efforts to vaccinate migrants in border custody as part of a massive operation. As of May 17, 2022, 20,000 migrants in border custody had been vaccinated. After vaccination, migrants are monitored for 30 minutes to ensure they don't experience any symptoms that require medical attention.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that vaccines are available to anyone, including undocumented immigrants, without regard to their immigration status. The US Department of Homeland Security has issued guidance confirming that it will avoid conducting immigration enforcement activities in protected areas that include COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites. The government wants everyone, including undocumented individuals, to have access to vaccination.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), an individual seeking admission as an immigrant or adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident must show proof of vaccination against vaccine-preventable diseases. However, getting vaccinated for COVID-19 will not affect a person's current or future immigration status or ability to become a US citizen.
To address vaccine hesitancy and improve access, civil rights protections ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency can communicate with federally funded healthcare providers. Federal civil rights law prohibits discrimination based on national origin, including the failure to provide interpreter services or translated materials. Additionally, the CDC provides toolkits and resources in multiple languages to improve access for migrants and refugees.
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Migrants' vaccine hesitancy
In the United States, the Biden administration has implemented a policy of vaccinating undocumented migrants at the southwest border. This policy change comes as a recognition that there are measures other than the public health order, Title 42, that can be taken to minimize the spread of COVID-19 across borders. Title 42, implemented by the Trump administration, gives border officials the authority to turn back migrants seeking entry to prevent the spread of the virus. Under the new plan, undocumented migrants without proof of vaccination who are apprehended by border officials will be offered COVID-19 vaccines. If single adults refuse to be vaccinated, they will be detained and put into deportation proceedings. If they request asylum and cannot remain in detention, they will be released with monitoring devices and stringent conditions.
Migrants' hesitancy to receive vaccines is driven by various factors, including fears and misinformation about vaccine harms, limited knowledge of preventable diseases and vaccines, distrust of host countries' health systems, language barriers, and perceived incompatibility with religious beliefs. To address these concerns, it is crucial to actively involve migrant communities in the planning and implementation of tailored approaches to encourage participation in vaccination programs. Empowering migrant and minority healthcare professionals within these communities can help establish trust and partnerships with local stakeholders.
Furthermore, civil rights protections ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency can access federally funded healthcare providers. Federal civil rights laws protect against discrimination based on national origin, including the failure to provide interpreter services or translated materials. These protections aim to facilitate equal access to healthcare and vaccination services for migrant populations.
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Migrants' vaccination status and immigration
Refugees, immigrants, and migrants (RIM) in the United States have been identified as an underimmunized population prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Low immunization rates have been reported within RIM communities, placing them at increased risk for vaccine-preventable diseases. This risk may be amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic amid rising vaccine hesitancy and health inequities.
The Biden administration has implemented a policy to vaccinate undocumented migrants at the southwest border. Under this plan, officials vaccinate undocumented migrants without proof of vaccination who are apprehended by border officials but not expelled under the public health order. This policy change comes days before the review of a public health order that has limited immigration during the pandemic. The administration's decision to vaccinate some undocumented migrants appears to be an acknowledgment that there are measures other than the public health order that can be taken to minimize the spread of the coronavirus across borders.
The vaccination of migrants in border facilities is the latest vaccination campaign for newly arrived immigrants under the Biden administration. This effort includes COVID-19 vaccines as well as vaccines against other diseases such as measles, mumps, and chickenpox. After being vaccinated, migrants are instructed to sit outside cinder-block cells and are monitored for 30 minutes to ensure they do not experience any adverse symptoms.
It is important to note that getting vaccinated for COVID-19 will not negatively impact an individual's immigration status or ability to become a U.S. citizen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that vaccines are available to anyone, regardless of their immigration status. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has also issued guidance confirming that it will avoid conducting immigration enforcement activities in protected areas, including COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites.
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Migrants' vaccination and deportation
Migrants face multiple barriers to vaccination, including limited vaccine supply, low confidence in the benefits and safety of the vaccine, social influence, language barriers, and fear of arrest, detention, or deportation. Despite these challenges, the Biden administration has undertaken a massive operation to vaccinate migrants at the US-Mexico border. As of May 2022, 20,000 migrants in border custody have been vaccinated.
The vaccination campaign targets undocumented migrants without proof of vaccination who are apprehended by border officials but not expelled under Title 42, a pandemic-era public health order. Under Title 42, border officials can turn away migrants to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Biden administration's decision to vaccinate some undocumented migrants acknowledges that there are alternative measures to public health orders in curbing the coronavirus's spread across borders.
The vaccination drive covers seven areas, including San Diego, El Paso, and the Rio Grande Valley. Migrants who refuse vaccination may face consequences. Single adults, for instance, will be detained and put into deportation proceedings. If they seek asylum and cannot be detained, they will be released with tracking devices and stringent conditions. Migrant families refusing vaccination will also be given monitoring devices.
Migrants who agree to be vaccinated are monitored for 30 minutes post-vaccination to ensure they do not develop symptoms requiring medical attention. After this observation period, border patrol officials decide on the migrants' next steps, which could include release with a notice to appear in immigration court, expedited removal, or transfer to long-term ICE detention facilities.
The US government emphasizes that getting vaccinated will not negatively impact an individual's immigration status or ability to become a US citizen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) affirms that vaccines are available to anyone, regardless of their immigration status. Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security has pledged to avoid conducting immigration enforcement activities in protected areas, including COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Biden administration has been vaccinating undocumented migrants at the border. This is part of a massive operation to vaccinate migrants in border facilities.
If a migrant refuses a COVID-19 vaccination, they may be detained and put into deportation proceedings. If they request asylum and cannot remain in detention, they will be released with a monitoring device and "stringent conditions".
No, getting vaccinated will not affect an individual's immigration status or ability to become a US citizen.
