(CNN) – Undocumented immigrants should be vaccinated against the coronavirus, Biden’s government said Monday. He added that federal authorities will not conduct immigration checks at vaccine sites or clinics.
“It is a public health and moral obligation to ensure that all people living in the United States have access to the vaccine. The Department of Homeland Security encourages all individuals, regardless of immigration status, to receive the Covid-19 vaccine as soon as they become eligible under local distribution guidelines, ”said the Department of Homeland Security.
The statement from the department that oversees immigration law enforcement in the nation marks a significant change in the tone of official statements during the Trump administration. It is the first time that the department has encouraged undocumented immigrants to get vaccinated against the coronavirus or discussed immigration enforcement positions on vaccines.
Many undocumented immigrants live in communities already disproportionately affected by the coronavirus, but immigrant advocates have warned that widespread fear could prevent many people from getting vaccinated.
“I am very concerned,” said Dr. Ranit Mishori, senior medical adviser for Doctors for Human Rights, told CNN in December. “If we, as a country, want to achieve immunity from herds, it means that non-citizens living among us must be immunized.”
Immigrant advocates say some immigrants are skeptical of any government-led vaccination effort after years of being targeted by the Trump administration, and some more recent comments from leaders have also led them to think:
• In an interview last year with CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta said Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla that the vaccine would be free “to all US citizens”. Pfizer later told CNN that the CEO had referred to government statements on the matter.
• In a briefing last month, the Nebraska Governor hinted that coronavirus vaccines would not be available to undocumented immigrants in his state, although he retracted the comments days later. A video of Governor Pete Ricketts’ comments went viral on Twitter and was heavily criticized.
• And new guidelines in Florida requiring people to be vaccinated to prove their residence in the state have also raised concern among immigrant advocates. They fear that such rules, ostensibly designed to reduce “vaccine tourism”, could prevent agricultural and other vital workers from getting the vaccine.
When asked about the matter several times, Biden’s 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.
The Department of Homeland Security is committed to ensuring that anyone who needs a vaccine can get it regardless of their immigration status, the ministry said.
Monday’s statement echoes previous U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) guidelines during natural disasters, such as hurricanes, when it is common for agencies to announce that they are refraining from taking compliance action to ensure that vulnerable people are not afraid to seek help.
ICE also generally disagrees with enforcing the law in places that the agency considers “sensitive places”, including hospitals.