Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida blamed the Biden administration’s immigration policies for spreading Coronavirus.
False claims by local officials about immigrants are not limited to Governor DeSantis.
Some critics of President Joe Biden blame the spike in Covid-19 cases in the U.S. on his border policies, which they claim allows some migrants to seek asylum in the country. As a result of these false claims, Governor Abbott of Texas signed a bizarre, vaguely worded executive order that he said was intended to lower infection rates with Covid-19.
Media outlets have reinforced these actions and remarks. According to Sean Hannity of Fox News, migrants were responsible for “the biggest super-spreader event,” while he incorrectly stated that they would not be tested. As a result of these policies and statements, immigrants are set up as scapegoats for a lack of leadership by the U.S.
It is important to note the following facts:
- Most immigration are not allowed to apply for asylum because of Title 42. The United States removes individuals with recent exposure to communicable diseases from countries through Title 42.
- Title 42 expulsions single out asylum seekers crossing into the United States at land borders. These immigrants are mostly from Central America, Africa, and Haiti. The rule does not exclude immigrants that are arriving by plane.
- Infections are not rising in the United States due to migrant arrivals, according to health experts. Experts find the main cause for the rise of Covid-19 is people who refuse to get vaccinated.
- Generally, all immigrants who are allowed to enter are tested for Covid-19 and given hotel rooms to quarantine if they test positive.
- Migrants are not spreading disease, according to evidence. The argument is meant to keep migrants out and is false. Studies have found despite their high risk of illness due to poor living conditions, migrants and refugees do not spread diseases to host populations.
